Watch: UKZN building torched amid student protests

According to KwaZulu-Natal SAPS, “unknown people” amid student protests, on Wednesday 11 March at 19:00, torched the main auditorium at the Edgewood Campus of the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). 

According to Colonel Thembeka Mbele, a case of arson has been opened at Pinetown police station.

“We confirm the incident that took place last night at 19:00 at Edgewood College campus where auditorium and lecture venues were allegedly set alight by unknown people.  A case of arson has been opened at Pinetown police station,” said Mbele. 

Watch: UKZN Edgewood Campus set alight 

@ministerdrblad1 Dear Dr Nzimande. The recent happening at @UKZN #EdgwoodCampus need your urgent attention. Students have been cyring for free education for a while. The vandalism of varsity property has criminal element @CyrilRamaphosa pic.twitter.com/0Pu5bqkRjj

— B.A. Nkala, MMedSc (@bee_nkala) March 12, 2020

Guys… please make sure that Maphorisa does not see this video otherwise we’ll have another Mapiyano song!! #UKZN pic.twitter.com/RiCLbjOZ66

— Anipho (@Anipho_) March 12, 2020

#ethekwini_secure #Asafercommunitybeginswithyou#EducationMatters UKZN EDGEWOOD CAMPUS Auditorium and Dining Hall Burnt. pic.twitter.com/T7E8c8su88

— eThekwini Secure (@EthekwiniSecure) March 11, 2020

Here’s why students have been protesting 

According to previous reports, students are angry over historical debt, the extension of registration periods and accommodation.

This is the latest incident in an ongoing battle between students and university management over student debt.

It is believed that a large group of returning students disrupted proceedings after they were told that those with historical debt, had to pay at least 15% of the total amount to qualify for registration.

UKZN students have made it clear that they cannot afford this and that the promises of free higher education, once made by former president Jacob Zuma, need to be kept by the government.

Court interdict 

According to Daily News, last month the university obtained a Durban High Court interdict prohibiting all students from protesting or inciting protests, damaging property or assaulting anyone. 

This however, has done very little to combat the issue. 

Since the start of the academic year, students and their leaders want their old debts scrapped. The university, however, said it cannot make any further concessions as it is already having to contend with a debt of about R1.7billion.

Gymnasium set alight on 19 February 

On Wednesday 19 February, KZN police spokesperson Captain Nqobile Gwala said a case of public violence had been opened for investigation by Westville South African Police Service (SAPS). 

“This morning at 05:00, a group of about 120 students gathered at UKZN Westville campus where they blockaded the road, burned mattresses and fridges,” said Gwala. 

“They also set alight the gymnasium situated at the campus. The Public Order Police and local police are at the scene to stabilise and monitor the situation,” said Gwala. 

UKZN extends registration period

UKZN announced on Tuesday 11 February that it would extend the period in which students can register and make payments up until 6 March — this, after intensified protests on 27 January.

Ongoing discussions between the SLC and the University Executive led to the Howard College at UKZN being shut down.

SLC chairperson Mphathi Majola emerged from the discussions and vowed to intensify the protests as the academic programme remained suspended indefinitely.

“There was no movement from the side of the management,” he said. “We will intensify the strike.”