83 UKZN students arrested for public violence
Students were arrested for chasing staff out of their offices, disrupting classes and damaging university property.
PROTESTING at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood Campus, once again reached a critical point on Monday 17 February when students allegedly began chasing staff out of their offices, disrupting classes and damaging university property. It was reported that police had to resort to teargas in order to disperse the protesting students. According to Col Clive Pillay, of Pinetown SAPS, 83 students were arrested for public violence and contempt of a court order.
Last week on Monday 10 and Wednesday 12 February the students also protested. Pillay reported that the students had blocked the main gate, preventing other students and staff from entering the building. They had also disrupted classes in the main building, damaged tables, burned a mattress and threw stones at cars, campus security and the SAPS.
“On Monday four students were arrested and an additional 13 were arrested on Wednesday,” said Pillay. The students reported on Wednesday that they were striking because some had not been able register as they have not been financially cleared and some had not received their bursaries. They also reported that approximately 200 students had been chased out of their residences due to previously mentioned financial issues.
One striking student, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “We are tired of the corruption. We have all been accepted, but many of us are unable to register. If the university is not able to facilitate us why did they accept us?” Another students insisted that the protests have been peaceful. “We have not vandalised anything, nor have we hurt anyone, but the police have shot at some of us with rubber bullets and have chased us into bushes and gutters,” she said.
Several non-striking students refused comment on the strike. One student said, “I am afraid to comment. If they see me giving you any information I am dead.”
Another student commented on the condition that she remain anonymous. “We are most definitely scared, and we feel threatened by the heavily armed police that are patrolling on campus. We feel like they are primarily here to protect the facilities, rather than the students,” she said.
The student also reported that they were informed via Facebook that the lectures would continue as normal, despite the striking, but they found that most lectures have been cancelled. “Most of the students have not pitched for the classes. We are experiencing so much confusion and frustration, while we put our lives in danger. The least the SRC can do is tell us what is going on,” she said.
Lesiba Seshoka, the Executive Director: Corporate Relations Division of UKZN, reported that residents of an informal settlement also violently protested on Varsity Drive at the Westville campus on Monday morning, preventing access through gate three.
“Students are reminded that a final High Court order prohibits unlawful protests, acts of violence and mass action on the university’s campuses. The order also prohibits any attempt to obstruct the entrances to the campuses. Perpetrators in violation of the interdict will face the full might of the law,” said Seshoka.
The arrested students will appear at the Pinetown Magistrate Court on Tuesday 18 February.
