LISTEN: Arrested UKZN lecturer speaks about ordeal
One of the UKZN lecturers arrested and then released yesterday has spoken about the incident.
The two lecturers - Dr Clint Le Bruyns from UKZN's Theology and Development Programme; and Jane Quin from the Education Department, were taken into custody at the Pietermaritzburg campus yesterday, along with a group of students who were apparently protesting.
They had been part of a dialogue between civil society groups, students and concerned staff to forge a way forward in the ongoing unrest over fees at the institution.
Yesterday, the institution's Lesiba Seshoka said the protest action led to some academic programmes being disrupted.
"The lecturers were with the students outside and the students were beginning to protest, so as they were trying to disperse them eventually they were arrested," he said.
Speaking to Newswatch after the ordeal, Le Bruyns says he's happy members of the public witnessed how students are being treated.
"We saw the police in full force marching towards us and surrounding us and then said to use this is an illegal gathering and we are arresting you. They arrested two staff members - myself included - and about five or six other students," he said.
Le Bruyns says he was released on a warning.
Last week, the situation at UKZN's campuses was volatile as students clashed with police and private security.
One first year student was hurt after being shot at by private security guards.
Meanwhile, the Acting National Police Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane says a total of 567 people have been arrested during fees-related protests over the last eight months.