Note to Editors: Find attached isiZulu soundbite from Cllr Muzi Mtshali
Violent protests by University of Zululand students cannot be condoned, but are in essence a direct result of the ongoing inability of university authorities and police to keep students safe.
The protests comes in the wake of an alleged shooting of a student by violent criminals and robbers, who have systematically targeted University students. Of particular concern is the safety of off-campus students, who regularly face armed robbers who see students as easy victims.
The DA Students’ Organisation (DASO) has attempted to engage university management on these issues, with little success. Unfortunately, anger among students boiled over after a student was shot during a robbery on campus.
DASO calls upon SAPS and campus management to get serious about campus security and the well-being of students. Only one security vehicle and one ambulance are allegedly allocated to protect students, while the SAPS contingent at the satellite police station is notoriously understaffed and under-equipped. DASO is against the closure of the University and believes that the institution should be kept open in order for students to prepare for their year-end assessments.
Students are the future of this country, and it would seem the government has not taken the scourge of student attacks that have rocked the country seriously. DASO will continue to fight for acceptable levels of security on all universities.