WATCH: UKZN student leaders condemn the torching of university property
Lukhona Mnguni made the comment during a panel discussion facilitated by East Coast Radio's Phat Joe, in Umhlanga last night.
The discussion followed recent violent protests at several of the varsity's campuses.
Mnguni says student leaders often face the difficulty of initiating protest action while trying to ensure things do not escalate out of control.
"How do you ensure that you are in total control of the terrain, because protest creates space for infiltration. How do you make sure you are in total control of the terrain and that it is not opportunistically taken advantage of, and secondly how do the students who are justify the violence - how do you reprimand those students who will say the books that burnt there were colonial books," he said.
During the round table discussion last night, students voiced their concerns over fee increments - among other points.
Below, representatives Lwandile Mtsolo and Senzo Ngidi elaborate on student issues.
The university's Student Representative Council leader, Senzo Ngidi, believes fee increases are not the only way government can tackle the financial deficit at universities.
He said government should explore other methods in order to find an alternative to fee increases.