Students at the University of Technology are today expected
to return to lectures, following three weeks of disruptions.
The
academic programme at all five Durban University of Technology (DUT) campuses
is expected to resume on Monday, after management and the student
representative council (SRC) reached common ground following protests.
Management
suspended classes at DUT earlier this month after clashes between protesters and private security led to the death of
21-year-old student Mlungisi Madonsela at one of the campuses.
DUT
Vice chancellor, Thandwa Mthembu says management and students leaders have
finally reached an agreement. He says he is confident the academic programme
will resume without a hitch.
The
institution has also secured a court barring students and organisations from
protesting and damaging property on campus.
According
to News24, in a joint statement by university management and SRC, it is stated
that classes at all DUT campuses will resume next week, provided that students
who are currently appealing the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS),
and who are staying in the Baltimore residence, are moved until the outcome of
their appeal.
According
to the statement, there are 232 students awaiting a decision on NSFAS funding.
New24 also reported that “Management agreed to this condition, subject to Student Housing Department confirming that the spaces still exist,” the joint statement read.
Additionally,
students whose appeals are unsuccessful will be given 48 hours to vacate the
residences.
“Further,
the meeting agreed that students who are waiting for their appeal decisions
should be allowed to attend classes until their cases are finalised or on 15
March 2019 – whichever comes first.”
