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University, students still at odds

TENSIONS were still high between Durban University of Technology management and the student representative council yesterday after management refused to support the call to drop public violence charges against 69 students.

TENSIONS were still high between Durban University of Technology management and the student representative council yesterday after management refused to support the call to drop public violence charges against 69 students.

"Management has refused to support our call for the students to be released," SRC spokesperson Sifiso Mdakane said.

"We hope they will change their attitude."

He said 62 students were arrested on the institution's Mansfield campus and seven were arrested on the Pietermaritzburg campus last month after they went on the rampage and threw stones at police vehicles. A policeman was injured.

Violent protests forced the institution's management to suspend classes until Tuesday.

Students were complaining about the lack of accommodation and the quality of food at the institution's cafeterias.

A task team was set up by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande to investigate problems facing the institution.

It was expected to begin its work yesterday.

Management also refused to support the SRC's call for the institution's head of housing and the director of the Pietermaritzburg campus to be suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. - Sapa

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