Violence erupts at UKZN protest as educational building burns down

Violence erupted during a protest at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), resulting in the destruction of an educational building on the university grounds. The Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, Blade Nzimande, has strongly condemned the protest and called for swift action to be taken. The minister linked the destructive incidents to ongoing student protests at the university. The protests have been characterized as criminal acts, and the South African Police Service has been informed. Minister Nzimande has urged the UKZN Student Representative Council to denounce the violence and work with the university administration and law enforcement to identify those responsible. If students are found to be the culprits, they should be subject to the university’s disciplinary procedures.

The recent surge in protests is believed to be related to dissatisfaction with the newly introduced National Student Financial Aid Scheme allowance payment system. The government has been actively involved in addressing student concerns and encourages students to participate in the payment system and voice their concerns for prompt resolution. The eligibility criteria and the 60-course credit policy introduced by NSFAS in 2024 have also been scrutinized. Support has been provided to students affected by the credit policy, including food parcels and personal care items. Minister Nzimande emphasizes that the challenges have been escalated to NSFAS due to policies imposed by the organization itself. The university has allocated funds from external sources for a food security initiative.