THE University of Zululand (Unizulu) has denied allegations by the NFP’s Student Movement (NASMO) of deliberately sabotaging their third annual celebration on Wednesday.
Unizulu NASMO president Nkosinathi Xulu said the university denied them access to the institution’s chapel, but permitted the ANC to host its National Development Plan event there.
Xulu claimed they booked the chapel on 9 April and were not informed about the ANC booking.
‘All we know is that we had a booking and it was approved. Then later we were asked to change the date. Why were we not told about the ANC booking at the beginning. ‘These were clearly attempts to sabotage our celebration. When we tried to get to the bottom of this, no one wanted to speak to us,’ Xulu said.
On Thursday, NASMO National Convener Sboniso Majola said he would be writing to the university management to request an urgent meeting.
‘Failure to comply and provide sufficient reasons for the cancellation of our booking will lead to NASMO lodging a formal complaint with the IEC and the Human Rights Commission to investigate the matter,’
NASMO also claimed their members were denied entry to the institution, including NFP President Zanele Magwaza-Msibi.
‘We were forced to make use of a tent belonging to a church outside the university. Msibi had to address supporters at a very dark and unsecured venue. The university must respond to this and apologise to NASMO and the NFP President,’ said Majola.
Unizulu Director of Communications Normah Zondo, however, provided documents showing that the venue was booked by the ANC earlier than NASMO.
In her statement, released on Friday, Zondo said there was never a double booking.
‘It (NASMO’s application) was not approved as there was already a booking made for the ANC National Development Plan (NDP) and Youth Debate at the same venue and date. They were made aware of the clash and they subsequently booked for 22 April,’ said Zondo.
She admitted NASMO members were denied university entry because they did not have a booking.
