Students return to campus
2008-02-11 10:54
Durban - Thousands of students returned to the seven campuses of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) on Monday and registration is under way.
University spokesperson Nomondi Mbadi said no incidents of violence had been reported.
Mtunzi Gumede, spokesperson of the university's Student Representation Council, said students were confident of reaching a resolution on Monday if management took their proposals into account.
The SRC and management have been at loggerheads for the past two weeks over how to deal with the rising student debt.
The SRC has asked for the debt to be rolled over, while the university's management has said it cannot afford to do so.
DUT's student debt stands at R175m, of which R72m was incurred during the 2007 academic year.
Protests could continue
DUT was closed last week after about 300 students clashed with police and campus security personnel in running battles on the institution's Steve Biko campus in Durban. Students also protested at the Indumiso campus in Imbali, Pietermaritzburg.
The SRC would meet management at 09:00 on Monday. If an agreement was not reached the protests would continue, Gumede said.
"And we seek full participation of all students if we continue to strike," he said.
SRC president Mandla Shange said on Saturday: "The SRC of Durban University of Technology is not happy with the manner in which the management seeks to deal with students with outstanding fees. What they have proposed on Friday is similar to what was proposed and rejected publicly by our students."
- SAPA