Durban - Classes and tests were disrupted at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) on Monday as a small group of protesters forced students out of class.
The protesters had gathered in small groups in Steve Biko Road before they marched on the campus to stop classes and tests.
The DUT Student Representative Council (SRC) president, Zama Mncube, was not in Durban at the time because she was representing DUT students at a stakeholders forum on fees in Kempton Park.
About Monday’s events, acting deputy vice-chancellor for operations, Professor Theo Andrew, said: “I am disappointed to announce that we have had to suspend all lectures and tests today.
“Despite commencing with the academic programme (on Monday) morning, protesters disrupted classes and prevented lectures from taking place. We also had disturbances in the library,” said Andrew.
He said at the DUT Indumiso campus in Pietermaritzburg, protesters gathered outside.
“Unfortunately, the current situation compromises the safety and security of all students and staff,” Andrew said.
“We realise that this stop-start scenario is not ideal. We are also well aware that the exam season is around the corner. I did meet with our SRC (on Monday) morning and we have made progress with regard to their concerns,” he said.
Andrew said an agreement had been reached. “The SRC will now call a mass meeting to notify the student body about the resolutions.”
The meeting was scheduled for Tuesday morning.
“The university will then make an announcement about the way forward regarding the academic programme and the tests and exam schedule for the rest of this year,” he said.
At the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), students gathered at the Westville and Howard College campuses on Monday before they were asked by the police to disperse.
UKZN spokesman, Lesiba Seshoka, said the protests were peaceful at the Howard College campus, but stones were thrown at the Westville campus.
“The protest action on the Howard College campus was peaceful with students singing and chanting. The students dispersed after the regional police commissioner addressed and reminded them of the high court interdict protecting the university from unlawful protests.
“At the Westville campus, protesting students caused disruption to some lecture venues and threw stones at security vehicles. University risk management services, public order policing and SAPS dispersed the protesters and are continuing to monitor all campuses,” said Seshoka.
UKZN said the academic programme was set to continue on Tuesday.
Philani Ntuli, a member of the EFF Students Command which was behind on Monday’s shutdown, said they wanted their leader to be released.
The student was arrested last week on charges of public violence, illegal gathering and inciting violence. He was expected to appear for a bail application on Thursday.
“Today (Monday) we shut down because management wanted to carry on with the classes. They sent e-mails to suspend classes for the next three days after 2pm today,” Ntuli said.
“We will demonstrate so that we get our message across, we will not stop for a single day. We are concerned about the exams, but we want free education. We are willing to sacrifice this year if needs be. We want to write exams under the conditions of free education,” Ntuli said.
He claimed there were more than 200 students involved in the protests that shut down the Steve Biko, Ritson and ML Sultan campuses.
Ntuli said they were expecting feedback from Mncube on Monday’s forum with stakeholders and Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education, but said they were “sceptical”.