Protest puts halt to registration

26 January 2010 - 02:00
By Canaan Mdletshe
STAND OFF: DUT students protesting yesterday. Pic. Thuli Dlamini. 25/01/2010. © Sowetan.
STAND OFF: DUT students protesting yesterday. Pic. Thuli Dlamini. 25/01/2010. © Sowetan.

REGISTRATION at the Durban University of Technology has been abandoned indefinitely following the protest at the Steve Biko campus.

SRC president Mfanafuthi Ngwabe said the students had disrupted the registration process because management "had failed to address student concerns" over residential fees.

Yesterday marked the third day of the strike by about 500 students, mostly members of the ANC-aligned SA Students Congress. Some students said they were forced to join in "solidarity" with the striking students.

Heavily armed private security guards and police officers kept a close watch to ensure the protest did not turn violent.

Last Friday, campus security fired rubber bullets, - injuring 10 students.

Students said yesterday they were waiting for the arrival of Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande to intervene in the matter.

But his office on Sunday said he would be sending representatives on his behalf.