DURBAN - University of Zululand (UniZulu) students protested at the KwaDlangezwa campus over the alleged sexual assault of two students and the murder of a student living off-campus.
On Monday, students armed with sjamboks, bricks and metal objects blockaded the entrance with burning tyres. As a result of the protest, the university suspended teaching and learning at the campus with immediate effect.
The students alleged that they had raised concerns with the university about a gang known as “amadabuka” that had been “terrorising” students for almost three years, a lack of security, not having enough accommodation facilities, and ensuring the safety of students living off campus.
It is alleged that the university’s negligence has led to many students becoming the victims of crime, with some having lost their lives.
Meanwhile, the university issued a statement stating that these were fake reports, adding that it had adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards violence and criminal behaviour.
It stated that it had enlisted the police and public order policing, who were patrolling the area to assist and follow up on incidents of crime.
“The university has no legal authority to engage in policing and security beyond its premises. And for this reason, it has sourced additional accommodation off campus from service providers that would meet the specifications as defined by the Department of Higher Education and Training,” the statement read.
It further stated that KwaDlangezwa had been identified as a hot spot for all sorts of criminality.
“There are elements that see the students as easy prey. The police are aware of these challenges and are bringing the culprits to book. The university objects to the fake news from faceless individuals,” read the statement.
A Students’ Representative Council (SRC) member who refused to be named said it was shocking that the university was denying the allegations after they had sat with them to discuss the very same matters.
“This is not something new and the university knows it. Since 2019, we have been raising the same issues and today they are declaring it ’fake news’. The students are staying in off-campus residences because the university does not have enough buildings,” he said.
He added that most of these students had lost belongings such as phones and laptops because of the daily robberies, which had escalated to assaults.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala said the police were at the scene monitoring the situation.
Daily News