Six students were detained by the police during students’ protests at the Mangosuthu University of Technology.
“Five suspects have been arrested for public violence,” the police spokesperson, captain Nqobile GwalaGwala said.
Students of the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) went to the city hall on Monday. They have an almost identical list of requirements just as other protesting students do.
The students are demanding better living conditions. They are dissatisfied with the current administration of material support funds, daily allowance in particular.
The university administration expressed its interest to meet with students and the press at around 1 pm on Monday. By that time, a group of about 70 protesters gathered at a square in front of the university administration.
The protest began early on Monday morning. The protesters set cars on fire on the road in the vicinity of the university. The joint efforts of the police and the fire department prevented a possible strife. The students were obliged to have their protest into the campus area.
While on campus, the students began to throw stones and bricks at the police, who responded with tear gas. The situation remains highly fragile, the groups of students dispersing and then regrouping.
We highlight that students of the Durban University of Technology are still continuing their rally and turning to the city administration with demands to improve the quality of student life.