UKZN rejects student demands, fears bankruptcy
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) says it is unable to concede to student demands as it fears it would bankrupt the institution.
In a statement released on Monday, university management says it does not have the financial capacity to give into student demands.
Students are calling for the institution to scrap historical debt, among other demands.
"Following extensive deliberations on the matter of student demands, University management has decided that it is not possible to grant any further concessions, without putting the University at risk of bankruptcy,” UKZN said in a statement.
"The university cannot concede to what it cannot afford.”
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Last week the student union rallied support from several universities calling for the minister to address issues of historical debt and registration fees. So far, the student union had garnered support from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the University of Fort Hare in East London, Central University of Technology in the Free State as well as the University of South Africa (Unisa).
Protests at the university's four campuses turned violent when students tried to petrol bomb a dining hall and a security van.
Provincial police spokesperson Thembeka Mbhele says rubber bullets were used to disperse the students at the Edgewood campus.
"They fled the scene when they spotted the police. Then later today they assaulted a security guard on the head.”
No arrests have been made.
University management denounced what is described as criminal behaviour.