JOHANNESBURG, Feb 7 (NNN-Xinhua) — Lectures remain suspended in three South African universities following violent protests that have claimed a student’s life.
Classes at University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban University of Technology (DUT) and Mangosuthu University of Technology are suspended as protests go on, demanding that students who owe universities money be allowed to register and that there be more accommodation available.
Mlungisi Madonsela, a 20-year-old student at the DUT, was shot dead on Tuesday night, following skirmishes between students and private security guards.
“The cause of the death and details of the incident are not yet clear as the matter is subjected to a preliminary investigation. The university is saddened by the unfortunate incident,” DUT Spokesperson Alan Khan told Xinhua.
Madonsela was among the protesting students, according to Kwazulu Natal Police Spokeswoman Themba Mbele.
Students at Wits University also embarked on a hunger strike at Solomon Mahlangu House. The university’s Students Representatives Council said over 500 students would have no accommodation, and that more than 1000 are set to be excluded because of historical debts.
Nomhla Munyo, a sophomore, told Xinhua that she hasn’t registered for 2019 as she owes Wits 38,000 Rand (2,804 U.S. dollars).
“I’ve been trying to get help since January, but they say I need to pay half of my debt in order to register. Classes commenced and I’m in limbo,” said Munyo.
Wits University has made it clear that there would be no funds if it met the demands of the protesting students, adding that it has established a Hardship Fund for poor students. — NNN-XINHUA
