Student protests at DUT after problems with registering higher certificate students and NSFAS funding woes

Durban University of Technology students protesting outside Steve Biko campus after first year students were unable to register for various reasons, including NSFAS funding delays. Picture: WhatsApp video screen shot

DUT Student Protests Latest: Politics fuelled Tuesday’s violent clash

The violent DUT student protests earlier this week that led to five stabbings was spurred by campaign politics between the EFFSC and SASCO.

Student protests at DUT after problems with registering higher certificate students and NSFAS funding woes

Durban University of Technology students protesting outside Steve Biko campus after first year students were unable to register for various reasons, including NSFAS funding delays. Picture: WhatsApp video screen shot

Durban University of Technology (DUT) students protested peacefully outside the Steve Biko campus on Thursday morning following violent clashes between different groups of students on Tuesday.

DUT senior director of corporate affairs, Alan Khan said the DUT student protests outside Steve Biko Campus had been peaceful on Wednesday and Thursday morning and “without serious incident”.

“This was after a violent clash on Tuesday morning between a group of individuals dressed in EFFSC (Economic Freedom Fighters Students Command) and SASCO (SA Students Congress) regalia,” Khan said.

“Tuesday’s violent altercation between the two student groups sadly left five students injured who required medical attention.  Although the incident took place on a municipal road outside the DUT premises, the five injured students were treated at DUT’s Isolempilo Clinic situated on the Steve Biko Campus in Durban. Three of the injured students required hospitalisation, due to the nature of their injuries,” Khan said. 

DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu condemned the protestors’ behaviour. Mthembu said management would take drastic disciplinary measures against those identified or reported to have played a role in the street brawl.   

It is alleged that the violent clash between the EFFSC and SASCO representatives had followed an incident on Friday 19 March. 

“The issue allegedly leading to Tuesday morning’s violence was allegedly related to which of the two groups should place their campaigning tables outside one of the University entrances. Two counts of malicious damage to property, severe damage to two vehicle windows and two assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (charges), have been registered at the Berea Police Station,” Khan said,

“The South African Police Service has informed us that to date, no arrests have been made. Metro police and SAPS are constantly monitoring Steve Biko Road to maintain order.”

Khan said registration had continued smoothly, despite the DUT student protests, with the last day of the extended registration period being tomorrow, Friday 26 March 2021. Multimodal teaching and learning is expected to resume on Monday 29 March 2021. 

He said university would continue to engage with the SRC regarding registration related matters on a regular basis.