DUT opens case after Pietermaritzburg students torch and damage two cars, security guardhouse and cafeteria

Cafeteria windows were smashed with stones and sharp objects during the student protest early on Wednesday morning. Picture: Supplied

Cafeteria windows were smashed with stones and sharp objects during the student protest early on Wednesday morning. Picture: Supplied

Published Dec 1, 2021

Share

DURBAN - Disgruntled students at Indumiso Campus in Pietermaritzburg took to the streets around 2am on Wednesday, demanding that the institution absorb them for diploma qualifications.

In the process, a security guard house and the cafeteria were torched and damaged.

Two vehicles were also set alight.

This comes a week after DUT students in Durban gave the institution an ultimatum to either absorb them or permanently close the Higher Certificate programme.

One of two cars, believed to belong to the university, were burnt by the protesters. Picture: Supplied

The students accused the university for “misleading promises”.

Students claim that the institution had promised that students who were registered and completed their higher certificate programme, would be absorbed to study towards a diploma.

However, the institution’s senior director of corporate affairs, Alan Khan, said the university was transparent and honest from the beginning.

“No automatic absorption from one programme to another was promised,” he said.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said a case of malicious damage to property was being investigation.

No arrests have been made.

Daily News