The Durban University of Technology has temporarily closed its three Durban campuses following a violent student protest on Monday.
The violent protest action affected the Steve Biko, Ritson and M.L. Sultan campuses.
The management says the protesting students allegedly set alight part of the university property. The violent protest is said to be linked to an apparent delay regarding the payment of allowances for some students.
DUT spokesperson Alan Khan says, “We also need to be clear that the academic programme has not been suspended. DUT implemented online teaching and learning last year following the COVID-19 pandemic. It still continues online. The three affected campuses will open on Wednesday morning the 10th of November 2021. However, essential services will continue to operate on all seven.”
Retrenched DUT lecturers protest, demand reinstatement
In September, about 31 retrenched lecturers at DUT held a protest outside the university gates calling on management to reinstate them to their positions. They accused the university of failing to follow necessary Section 189 processes.
It is alleged that the university retrenched these lecturers for not meeting the necessary qualification requirements. But according to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union, the university took a unilateral decision to terminate their contracts whilst discussions were still under way.
Nehawu’s provincial secretary Ayanda Zulu says, “It is our view as Nehawu that the discussion about these retrenchments in terms of Section 189 are still ongoing. That is why we were extremely shocked when we heard the news that the university had taken a unilateral decision to terminate these contracts. We are still committed as Nehawu to discuss these acts.”
