FIFTEEN students were arrested following a protest at the UKZN Westville Campus. Early this morning, a group of protestors blocked the university’s entrance on Varsity Drive until midday.

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UKZN spokesperson, Normah Zondo said student leaders engaged with executive management on 17 requests last week.

“Management fully agreed to 14 of these requests and granted additional concessions to another two requests.”

She said the management reiterates that it has, in good faith, considered and conceded to most of students’ issues but cannot afford any further financial concessions that will jeopardise the sustainability of the institution.

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“The university has already implemented processes (through financial clearance concessions) that effectively ensure that no student is required to pay 100 per cent of their debt in full prior to registration,” she said.

Zondo stated that the university is not in a position to waive the requirement for students to pay all amounts committed to in their 2020 debt acknowledgements and repayment plans.

Among the request was for a full return of students to the campus of which Zondo said it is impossible as it immediately equates to a high risk of Covid-19 fatalities.

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She reported that the university has close to 50 000 students with an excess of 22 000 students placed in more than 200 buildings located in the municipalities of eThekwini and uMsunduzi.

“Both these municipalities are in districts that have been declared coronavirus hotspots due to their high numbers of active cases,” explained Zondo.

The university’s spokesperson added that the management has and will continue to maintain an open door and good faith approach on all matters involving students and is still committed to engage further with the SRC.

Westville SAPS communications officer, Capt Elizabeth Squires confirmed that 15 students have been arrested and a case of public violence has been opened at Westville SAPS.    

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting