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varsity shuts down

IN PROTEST: Students at Durban University of Technology idle outside the Steve Biko campus after violence erupted between police and students yesterday. The university has since been temporarily closed down. 03/02/09. Pic. Thuli Dlamini. © Sowetan.
IN PROTEST: Students at Durban University of Technology idle outside the Steve Biko campus after violence erupted between police and students yesterday. The university has since been temporarily closed down. 03/02/09. Pic. Thuli Dlamini. © Sowetan.

Sne Masuku

Sne Masuku

Chaos reigned at Durban University of Technology's Steve Biko campus after students and police clashed, resulting in its closure.

University management closed the institution after a student protest turned violent yesterday. Lectures at all three campuses have been postponed.

Lectures first came to a standstill on Monday when students and staff went on strike over lack of accommodation and staff salary increases.

Police were deployed, but things became worse yesterday when students threw stones at the police, who replied with rubber bullets.

University spokesman Nomonde Mbadi said all campuses were now officially closed.

She said staff were required to return to work tomorrow, while students were expected to return to lectures on Monday.

But students who live on campus would be allowed on campus before Monday.

Ivan Govender, a spokesman for the joint unions representing the staff members, said staff had nothing to do with the violence.

He said the staff members had indicated that they would go back to the campus today to hold a peaceful protest regardless of the management's decision to close the institution.

Students representative council president Mandla Shange said he hoped the closure would give management time to reconsider their demands.

Police said the situation at the campus was under control and no arrests were made.

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