Nosipho Gumede 

Classes were expected to resume on Monday at the University Of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), following a few weeks of violent student protests over financial exclusions, but instead the University saw more demonstrations by the workers of the university.

The employees are demanding a 10 percent salary increase and improved safety when students protest.

UKZN staff Union Deputy Chairperson, Mandla Mdhluli, says their grievances have been disregarded since February 2019.

“We sent in a list of our grievances in February 2019 and nothing has been done about it since. Apart from the salary increase, we also have other issues as employees,” said Mdhluli.

Mdhluli added that during student protests, the staff does not feel safe.

“Staff gets harassed and intimidated, the property gets damaged along with the staff vehicles and more. We want safety to be improved during these times,” said Mdhluli.

Mdhluli also mentioned the imbalanced workloads they have to deal with as staff.

The University says it will be meeting with the union’s management to discuss a way forward. In the meantime, the workers’ strike is suspended pending the results of the meeting.

This is a developing story.