The Democratic Alliance Students Organisation (DASO) at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) has written to the university management calling for an urgent plan to fix infrastructure collapse.
This follows an oversight inspection at student residences at the main campus (view images here, here and here).
DASO are calling on UNIZULU management to urgently respond and provide:
– A clear plan to address the damp and mould infestation.
– Timeframes for repairing broken showers, windows, ceilings, walls, and water infrastructure.
– An explanation for the failure of communal kitchen facilities and when they will be restored.
– Urgent action to replace or repair non-functional fridges and other appliances students are entitled to receive; and
– Details of the university’s residence maintenance budget, maintenance schedule and how these funds are being utilised.
In parts of the residences, significant damp and mould infestation is clearly visible and the mould smell lay thick in the air. This poses a potentially serious health hazard for students who are expected to live and sleep in these conditions.
The oversight also revealed ongoing water supply problems, sewage issues, broken showers and taps, damaged ceilings and walls, broken windows, and a general state of dilapidation. The state of the bathrooms also show that students lack privacy as there are no doors or curtains on some showers.
Of particular concern is the condition of communal kitchens, many of which have been boarded up for months on end. As a result, some students are resorting to using two-plate stoves inside their bedrooms to prepare meals.
There are also students who have been forced to rent their own fridges because those supplied by the university are not working. These appliances form part of the accommodation students are supposed to receive, including where accommodation is funded through NSFAS.
Broken university fridges were reportedly left lying outside the residences for weeks before only recently being removed.
The DA finds it extremely concerning that these residences have apparently been allowed to deteriorate to this extent.
DASO will continue to raise these concerns and hold the university accountable until students are provided with accommodation that meets the basic standards of safety, dignity and decency that they deserve.