Protest action has resulted in unrest at two campuses at tertiary institutes in KZN. The two protests are for different reasons – one safety related, while the other is about National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) payouts.

Zululand Observer reports that attacks on students living off-campus has sparked a fiery protest at the University of Zululand’s KwaDlangezwa campus this morning.

Following several attacks on Friday on students living at rental cottages, angry students burnt tyres and debris at the main gate to express their concerns.

Ongoing attacks

According to the students, the known gang called ‘amadabuka’, which has been targeting off-campus students for years, continued their terrorising spree on Friday night.

The university yesterday issued a statement in which it said the gang stormed into three non-accredited rental cottages, terrorised students and took their belongings.

As a result, 28 students were scheduled to undergo trauma counselling this morning.

The university has not released a statement about this morning’s protest, but all classes have been suspended by lecturers.

Police are also deployed in the area while motorists are warned to be vigilant.

NSFAS protest

Meanwhile, The Witness reports classes came at Umgungundlovu TVET College at the Northdale campus, in Pietermaritzburg, came to a complete standstill this morning as students protested about NSFAS.

Students told The Witness they have not received their allowances since the beginning of the year. Some said they last received their allowances last year.