Guards fire paintball guns at Durban students

Durban - Protests erupted at Durban's Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) around midday on Tuesday, after lectures resumed earlier in the day.

A group of about 200 students protested, with some banging on bins and others throwing rocks. Security guards fired paintball guns loaded with pink plastic balls at them in an attempt to disperse them.

Earlier, lectures resumed amid a heavy police and security presence.

Lectures were suspended on Monday following protests by students who owed the university money and demanded to be registered.

MUT spokesperson Len Mzimela said on Monday an agreement had been reached with students owing more than R10 000 that they would be registered if they entered into negotiations on their outstanding debt.

Those protesting had refused to negotiate with the university. There were several security officers on the campus in riot gear.