Sne Masuku

Sne Masuku

Disciplinary action will be taken against the perpetrators of violence during the protest against increased fees at the Durban University of Technology last week.

In a statement to the Student Representative Council (SRC), the acting vice-chancellor at the university, Nqabomzi Gawe lashed out at the SRC for its behaviour during the protest.

Gawe said two sittings of supplementary exams were disrupted by protesting students and that this could not be tolerated by the university.

He said the destruction of university property during the protest action would have severe repercussions for the SRC.

"You are advised that, as you were leading the protests, you remain accountable for your actions and the university would be investigating all acts of violence or damage to property. Disciplinary action will be taken against all perpetrators."

SRC member Thami Shezi said students from rich families were undermining what they were fighting for.

He complained that Indian and white students at the health science department had sprayed water on protesters.

"The fee increase, lack of accommodation and unroadworthy buses are issues that affect poor students.

"The strike was not a black and white issue, but about fighting for the well-being of all students."

Learning was back to normal yesterday.

The university was closed last week after students went on the rampage demanding, among other things, the reversal of increases in registration, tuition and accommodation fees and the scrapping of fees outstanding from last year.

Protesters also demanded that students whose accounts were in arrears be allowed to register.

The strike was called off after management agreed to write off arrear fees and to award indebted graduates their diplomas.