A drunk man who vandalised computers worth R500 000 at a college at the Stables Theatre in Alice Street, Durban, has left students demoralised.
Police report that the man was a guest at a wedding reception at the theatre on Saturday night when he went on a drunken rampage, smashing glass doors and ripping out computer terminals and keyboards and smashing them on the ground.
He is expected to appear in court soon.
Moses Mthiyane, a lecturer at Blackman University, said the computers had been sponsored by Joseph Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and the Premier's Office.
"We moved here in April and have 30 students in three different classes that range from beginner to advanced. We received a call on Sunday that some guy had trashed the office we rent and destroyed some of the computers."
Mthiyane said the man was perceived as too drunk to leave the reception and other guests had asked security to allow him to remain on the premises.
"He broke through the glass door and pushed all the computers on the floor.
"He was apparently breaking through another glass door when security guards apprehended him and called police."Some of the students at the college are performance artists who are learning computer skills.