Eighteen Durban University of Technology (DUT) students who were arrested for public violence appeared at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 7 September, and were released on bail of R1 000 each.
Durban Central SAPS communications officer, Captain Muzi Maphumulo, explained that 300 alleged DUT students held an illegal march along West Street on Sunday, 5 September. “The student protesters blocked Dr Pixley Kaseme Street, blocking motorists travelling on the road. The public order policing attended and tried to disperse them, however, the students threw stones at them, resulting in the arrest of 18 students,” added Capt Maphumulo. He claimed that the march was associated with the upcoming Student Representative Council (SRC) elections set to take place on 10 October. “They were allegedly visiting the residences of other students in the Durban CBD, encouraging them to protest along West Street and block the roads,” he added. DUT’s senior director of cooperate affairs, Alan Khan, said the institution was made aware of the students who were arrested. “Durban University of Technology is aware that police arrested 15 people on Sunday evening after a march that allegedly turned violent along Dr Pixley Kaseme Street towards the Point area in Durban.
According to information that was provided to the university, the arrested group apparently consisted of students from institutions of higher learning, some of whom were living in the outsourced residences in the Durban CBD,” said Khan. He confirmed that on Sunday, a group of approximately 150 EFFSC members held a peaceful gathering on Steve Biko Road. Furthermore, reports indicated that the group was later joined by students from other institutions and non-students too. “By 6pm on Sunday evening, the group peacefully dispersed and left Steve Biko Road, en-route towards the Durban CBD. Law enforcement officials estimated that the gathering on Dr Pixley Kaseme Street comprised approximately 800 to 900 people. When they assembled in the Point area, members from this group allegedly turned violent and started throwing objects at motorists, apparently damaging a number of vehicles in the process. “DUT does not condone such behaviour. Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, all non-essential gatherings remain prohibited at DUT. Gatherings for the purposes of SRC electioneering fall under non-essential gatherings and as a result, these events cannot take place. The university once again advises student leaders and political clubs to act responsibly and to refrain from electioneering that promotes gatherings and events. KZN is still grappling with the third wave of the pandemic and political clubs and student leaders cannot violate Covid-19 protocols and public health guidelines. DUT reminds the political clubs to spread their message and not the virus,” Khan emphasised. He said the university will not hesitate to act against any registered student or club that violates DUT rules, policies, codes and/or Covid-19 regulations. The case was remanded for 2 November.
