DUT lectures disrupted as students protest
Lectures were disrupted at the Durban University of Technology on Monday with the university’s management claiming that about 100 students “rampaged” through it's campuses.
University spokesman Alan Khan said in a statement released on Monday afternoon that a group of students threw stones, set off fire hydrants and intimidated other students.
He lay the blame for the disruptions at the university’s student representative council (SRC).
“Despite our best efforts to respond to the SRC’s demands and to have open and honest dialogue with them, it seems that the student protesters are intent on spreading chaos, disrupt the academic programme and compromise safety on campus,” said Khan.
He said that some staff and students were sprayed with the fire hydrants.
“We have identified some of the protestors who acted violently. Those who are students will be suspended immediately pending a formal disciplinary hearing. Those who are not our students will be criminally charged.”
Khan said that lectures would continue on Tuesday as there had already been too many disruptions to the institutions academic calendar.
It was not immediately known whether police had been called to the campus. Comment could not immediately be obtained from police.
Comment could also not immediately be obtained from the SRC.