Mandisa Magubane

Thirty students have been arrested at the University of Zululand following a student protest that led to a police station being set alight on Monday.

The protest follows the incident where a male student was shot inside his off-campus residence.

An unnamed source from the university explains that they planned a peaceful march as students and decided to stop all operations until the MEC from community safety and the Minister of police arrive.

“We planned to march to the N2 road and close off all accesses to KwaDlangezwa and bring it to a standstill until our grievances were heard. But it did not go as planned as the police came and shot at us with teargas and rubber bullets and many students were injured.”

The students retaliated with anger to a point where the police station was set alight as they felt the police were not doing anything in order to help them.

Police spokesperson, Colonel Thembeka Mbele explains that the incident occurred last night where a group of students stormed the Vulindlela police station based in KwaDlangezwa. Charges of public violence and arson are being investigated by the Mthuzini South African Police Service (SAPS).

“The acts of violence, intimidation, and destruction of property are criminal offences. We will not tolerate any acts of violence and intimidation that seek to undermine the government’s efforts to ensure the stability of the country,” said Mbele.

UniZulu students are currently protesting for the release of the students who were arrested yesterday.

The arrested students are due to appear in the Esikhaleni Magistrates Court today for public violence.

The University management has issued a formal notice that they have decided to close the KwaDlangezwa campus in light of the current violent student protest action at the campus.

“All University activities have been suspended with immediate effect and all students must vacate the campus as well as on-campus residences by 13:00.”