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tension boils ovER at durban varsity

VIOLENCE broke out for a second day at the Mangosuthu University of Technology in Umlazi township, bringing lectures to a standstill.

VIOLENCE broke out for a second day at the Mangosuthu University of Technology in Umlazi township, bringing lectures to a standstill.

Police fired rubber bullets to disperse angry protesting students who threw bricks and stones at them.

Umlazi police and the public order police wasted no time in bringing order on the campus.

Several students had been detained yesterday and are expected to be charged with assault.

Management said if the protest continues, they would be forced to close the university indefinitely.

On Tuesday, 14 students were detained, including the president of the Students Representative Council Duma Ntyikale.

The detainees were released yesterday after appearing in court in Umlazi.

They are expected to appear in court on April 8 on assault charges. The university's computer facility in the library was vandalised.

SAPS Superintendent Buhle Ngidi said police will maintain a strong presence at the campus.

"Those who were detained on Tuesday were given free bail and will appear in court on assault charges," said Ngidi.

Students are defiant, vowing to continue the protest.

"They must arrest us again, if they do not want us to speak," Ntyikale said after being released.

He urged students to protest over what they believe in and not to fear the police.

"Away with police, away," Ntyikale shouted.

Xolani Gcaba, the SRC's media spokesperson, accused the university management of not wanting to meet them to resolve their grievances

He said the students' main concerns are increases in fees and the poor state of student accommodation.

Students are also calling for the resignation of the dean of students Thami Mchunu.

Gcaba also alleged that the institution has a contract to use 16 buses to transport students but that only six were being provided.

He said students had to wake up early to catch a bus, or miss classes.

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