Fake message adds fuel to the fire as violent protest rocks DUT
By Jehran Naidoo
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DURBAN - A violent clash between the police and prospective students at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) broke out on Wednesday morning.
Footage online shows a hall at the DUT campus being ransacked by the students.
An undisclosed number of protesters were arrested by the police, who resorted to anti-protest tactics to disperse the agitated crowd.
DUT said on Wednesday that all five campuses will be closed until further notice.
The protest came after a number of students, all of whom had failed to properly register online for the 2021 academic year, made their way to the Steve Biko campus on Tuesday.
DUT has closed all five of its Durban campuses following alleged fake news that claimed there was walk-in registration of students.
The university said students flooded its sports centre on Tuesday, and some continued to occupy the area by Wednesday.
Police were called in, and people were dispersed following the protest on Steve Biko Road.
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) has shut all its Durban campuses after alleged fake news, saying the institution was allowing walk-in registrations, led to protest action. Following the risk to health, safety, and security, the university suspended the on-campus support for online registration [on Tuesday] indefinitely. However, normal online registration will continue in the manner it has been all along, but without on-campus support, DUT spokesperson Alan Khan said.
Molefe Seeletsa The students will appear in court on Thursday facing charges of malicious damage to property, illegal gathering and public violence. Picture: Gallo Images / Daily Sun / Jabulani Langa
This was after students on Wednesday morning descended on the university’s campuses to register for the 2021 academic year, which led to protests.
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police spokesperson Nqobile Gwala said the arrested students will appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Thursday facing charges of malicious damage to property, illegal gathering and public violence.
DUT closed its campuses over concerns about students flouting Covid-19 regulations by invading the sports centre on the Steve Biko campus in Durban.
DUT closes all Durban campuses until further notice
7 April 2021 2:10 PM
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This comes after a large number of students invaded the sports centre on the Steve Biko campus in Durban, flouting COVID-19 regulations.
JOHANNSBURG - The Durban University Of Technology (DUT) has on Wednesday closed all five of its Durban campuses until further notice.
This comes after a large number of students invaded the sports centre on the Steve Biko campus in Durban, flouting COVID-19 regulations.
The university said thousands of people gathered after they reacted to fake social media posts inviting walk in students to register.
Social media post leads to DUT chaos enca.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from enca.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.