The University of KwaZulu-Natal has apologised to its students and their parents for the violent protests which rocked its Westville campus last week, but it has also pledged to look into accusations that its security guards had been heavy-handed in attempting to suppress the mass action.
The SRC-led protests were officially called off yesterday after the university management and students agreed on how to address the latter’s grievances concerning accommodation and finances.
The Westville SRC was represented by its deputy head, Cebo Nzama, during the talks, as its president, Lucky Nkalanga, has been barred from the university, according to a court interdict.
Nkalanga is out on bail after his arrest on assault and vehicle theft charges last week. UKZN is yet to say what the cost of the damage was to the campus.
“The executive management of the University of KwaZulu-Natal would like to apologise to all parents and students for the unfortunate and serious inconvenience caused during the suspension of lectures on the Westville campus...
“A thorough investigation into all matters relating to the protest is under way,” spokeswoman Nomonde Mbadi said.
Part of the agreement reached between the SRC and management was the investigation of matters brought to the UKZN security service’s attention around the conduct of guards during the protests.
The university also agreed to extend to February 29 the registration of financially struggling students who approached the regis- tration appeals committee. - The Mercury