Durban - What appears to have been a potential poo protest has been thwarted at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Two students on the Pietermaritzburg campus were apprehended with a bag of faeces early on Thursday.
The university believed that the intention of the students was to disrupt lectures and deface university property, spokesman Lesiba Seshoka said.
They were apprehended in the car park on the campus.
“We can confirm that faeces were found today at UKZN Pietermaritzburg campus. Two students were taken for questioning and were later released due to lack of evidence. No case has been opened,” said KZN police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker.
Seshoka said lectures were continuing, and were being attended by the majority of students.
Ongoing acts of protest were being carried out by a small group, he said.
At the Westville campus, students at the Dunstaple Heights residence in Varsity Drive were locked inside the building by protesting students. UKZN security guards tried to cut the locks but were pelted with stones and bottles. The police were called in to assist, Seshoka said.
The university management remains in negotiations with its student leadership.
There were also protests at the Edgewood campus, and two students were arrested.
Seshoka also warned staff and students on Thursday about racist remarks being made related to the protests.
“The university management respects the individual’s right to freedom of speech as enshrined in the South African constitution, and cautions all staff and students to refrain from any racist comments.”
Seshoka said the university was monitoring the internet, and disciplinary action would be taken against individuals found to be perpetuating virulent statements.
On Tuesday night the student wellness office on the Westville campus was set alight, for which two students were arrested.
On Monday a 21-year-old Pietermaritzburg student was arrested for malicious damage to property and for contravening a court order when he allegedly took aim at fellow students with a fire extinguisher.
A 23-year-old Westville student leader handed himself over to the police on Tuesday for his alleged involvement in the violent protests earlier this month which saw two cars and an administration building vandalised and set alight.
Westville SRC president Lukhanyo Mtshingana was arrested more than two weeks ago along with Luwazi Magwaza, a former UKZN student.
The Mercury