Unizulu students on violent strike

A violent unprotected strike by students broke out at the University of Zululand’s main campus in KwaDlangezwa this morning.

Zululand Observer journalists attempting to photograph the striking students who started gathering and singing from around 10am, were accosted by a large group of students and warned not to take photos. The journalists were then taken to safety by other students.

University officials told the journalists to leave the campus as they did not have permission to be there and the university could not guarantee their safety.

Communications Manager Mack Makathini this morning said he could not comment on the reason for the strike as he had no knowledge of an official memorandum being handed over.

A memorandum, the contents of which are not yet known, has since been handed over.

University staff, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the students first gathered at the SRC offices before marching to the administration building.

‘All the glass panes on the notice boards were smashed,’ said one staff member.

‘Some doors were also broken down and an ambulance window smashed.’

A student speaking to journalists via WhatsApp, confirmed the Protective Services Department opened fire with rubber bullets shortly after noon, dispersing the crowd.

The student said students were unhappy about ongoing reports about the degree-for-sale scam and discrepancies with the handing out of laptops to students.

‘We are working hard to earn our degrees and now with this scam, our reputations are in pieces.

‘After years of hard work I will leave this university with a degree, but when I apply for a job, they will laugh at me.’

Some reports from campus indicate that a management delegation will soon address the students, some of whom have also been chased off campus.

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