Higher Education says DUT protesters will be charged
The Department of Higher Education has warned against criminality after the temporary suspension of contact classes at the Durban University of Technology, following violent protests.
Students have been protesting against registration and accommodation challenges as a result of delayed NSFAS funds.
In a statement earlier this week, DUT said classes would be online until further notice.
The department's Marcia Socikwa says perpetrators will be criminally charged.
"We are going to encourage the university to work closely with SAPS. We understand that criminals were wearing balaclavas, so they could not be identified. We are very concerned about that, particularly for first-year students - that would be a really negative experience and we are hoping the university will keep us up to date."
READ: UKZN SRC warns of accommodation protest
They've also warned that landlords found guilty of sexual exploitation at the eThekwini TVET college will be blacklisted.
This week, allegations surfaced through a Sunday World report, that some students awaiting funds from NSFAS have been coerced into providing sexual favours, in exchange for accommodation.
Speaking at UKZN on Thursday, NSFAS Administrator Freeman Nomvalo says those found guilty will be prosecuted.
"We condemn this, there should be no reason why this happens and we urge students to be able to come forward and report through their leaders so that we can investigate and assist in prosecuting these matters. We also want to offer students who have been victims of such incidents support."
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