UKZN says more security retained to ensure academic programme continues

More than 2,000 University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) students are yet to be allocated to residences.

This has sparked fears that some may not be able to meet the March 10 registration deadline amid protest at the Westville campus on Monday.

Students breached security at the Varsity Drive entrance and stormed the quad where they dispersed in pockets, disrupting lectures and forcing students out. 

UKZN executive director for corporate relations Normah Zondo said the university's  residences were full to capacity.

“Students who still require accommodation are encouraged to seek accommodation in private residences.”

Registrations had been extended to Friday for first year and postgraduate students.

She added that despite the disruptive protest on Monday, university management were engaging the student leadership.

“We are committed to the consultation process and making every effort to resolve matters amicably,” she said.

President of the Student Representative Council (SRC) Lwandile Majozi told TimesLIVE students have a number of complaints which have not been addressed.

“Most of the students are without accommodation. All the private accommodation [establishments] are full and we do not have the financial means.”

He said this was their last resort at raising their concerns. They were unhappy when the university secured a “substandard” building in Addington, near South Beach.

“It is an abandoned building. There are vagrants who roam the area freely. It's not fair because we know there are residences which were suitable for us but they are closed,” said Majozi.

He mentioned a facility on Varsity Drive near Howard College in Glenwood.

The protest prompted the cancellation of some classes as protesters stormed lecture halls, with some hurling insults at those attending classes.

“We want to get back to lectures and study. But we cannot do that if we lack accommodation. The management knows about this and they just do not want to get to the bottom of things,” said Majozi.

Police, eThekwini metro police and private security maintained a heavy presence.

Majozi said the university was accountable for two SRC members from the Edgewood campus who were arrested two weeks ago.

Zondo said the arrest of the duo was in the hands of law enforcement. “The university cannot interfere with the police investigations and ongoing cases and processes.”

She said additional security has been deployed to ensure the protest is contained and the academic programme continues uninterrupted.

TimesLIVE

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He said this was their last resort at raising their concerns. They were unhappy when the university secured a “substandard” building in Addington, near South Beach.

“It is an abandoned building. There are vagrants who roam the area freely. It's not fair because we know there are residences which were suitable for us but they are closed,” said Majozi.

He mentioned a facility on Varsity Drive near Howard College in Glenwood.

The protest prompted the cancellation of some classes as protesters stormed lecture halls, with some hurling insults at those attending classes.

“We want to get back to lectures and study. But we cannot do that if we lack accommodation. The management knows about this and they just do not want to get to the bottom of things,” said Majozi.

Police, eThekwini metro police and private security maintained a heavy presence.

Majozi said the university was accountable for two SRC members from the Edgewood campus who were arrested two weeks ago.

Zondo said the arrest of the duo was in the hands of law enforcement. “The university cannot interfere with the police investigations and ongoing cases and processes.”

She said additional security has been deployed to ensure the protest is contained and the academic programme continues uninterrupted.

TimesLIVE

Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.