UKZN campuses shut down amid protests
The University of KwaZulu-Natal has decided to suspend all academic activities on all its campuses today.
The move follows violent protests by students which began at its Westville campus on Sunday night.
It has now also emerged there were protests at the Howard College and Pietermaritzburg campuses.
Management says it has been in discussions with the SRC to find out what the problems are.
Briefing the media yesterday in Westville Vice-Chancellor Albert van Jaarsveld promised that none of the concerns raised would be swept under the carpet.
''Whether the issue is actually grievances, or whether it's the upcoming SRC elections, we have no idea.
''But I think that we must understand that the SRC elections are also happening on our campuses at the moment,'' he said.
Today will be the third day that Westville has not had lectures. One student has been arrested as a result of the protests.
Meanwhile, the Department of Higher Education says management at UKZN must discipline students who destroy property and threaten lives.
The department has condemned what it calls the 'criminal element' responsible for the destruction of property.
Officials say students have the right to protest but they should also respect the rights and property of others.
(File photo)