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Durban – Student leadership at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) said on Monday they did not condone the burning of campus property.
"We want students to come out in their numbers and support this cause. However, we are against the burning of institutions. You have to come back and use the same resources," DUT SRC president Zama Mncube told News24.
Mncube said, apart from demanding a no fee increase, DUT students had many NSFAS matters they hoped to address.
She said a large number students owed NSFAS money dating back from 2013.
"More than 4 000 students are blocked for tuition. We need this to change immediately."
Mncube said the SRC would meet with management on Wednesday. She added that students had been waiting for the meeting to take place since the beginning of the year.
Academic programme suspended
"We called for this meeting from beginning of the year. It has never taken place. We are hoping it sits. If the meeting happens and we do not agree, we will continue to strike."
Mncube said students would "definitely be on strike on Tuesday".
Responding to the protests, DUT spokesperson Alan Khan said the university had decided to suspend its academic programme for the day.
"This was due to the disruptions caused by protesting students earlier this morning."
He confirmed that DUT management would on Wednesday meet with the SRC, senior officials from NSFAS, and the Department of Higher Education and Training "to discuss concerns raised by the university and its SRC regarding student funding".
Earlier, protesters removed their fellow students from lecture halls at the ML Sultan and Ritson campuses. Students also marched on the university's city campus. On their way there they blocked traffic and brought Warwick Junction to a standstill.
