Angry students block road in protest after robbers shoot sleeping man

Police are looking for three men who robbed and shot a 23-year-old man, believed to be a student at the University of Zululand, while he was asleep on Sunday. 

The incident resulted in students blockading the R102 near Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal with tyres, trees and stones on Monday to protest about security concerns.

Police spokesperson Capt Nqobile Gwala said public order police and officers from Mtunzini had restored calm.

"It is alleged that on 15 September at 3am, a 23-year-old man and his roommates were sleeping when three males kicked their door open and shot the victim in the abdomen.

"The suspects took a cellphone and laptop and fled the scene. The victim was taken to hospital for medical attention."

Gwala said charges of armed robbery and house robbery had been opened.

Police are monitoring the situation at the university.

At the heart of the students' concerns is escalating crime.

Many took to social media on Monday to voice their anger about criminals robbing and attacking students attending the university.

"We are afraid for our lives at University of Zululand. The off-campus students are striking, feeling neglected by the university due to the shooting of students by criminals who take their belongings while the school is doing nothing," one student posted on Twitter.

Another wrote: "Glad to see the students of University of Zululand finally taking a stand and making their grievances heard regarding the lack of safety we have to deal with."

Others claimed the university had not addressed the issue of crime.

The university said it would revert with a statement in response to TimesLIVE's questions.