Calm returns to DUT, UKZN, UniZulu - following weeks of violent protests

A closed meeting between DUT management, SRC leaders, the Department of Higher Education and Training, and NSFAS - is currently underway at the institution's Steve Biko campus.

The university this week suspended the academic programme until tomorrow, following violent protests at the campus. 

Yesterday, protesting students burned tyres outside the main entrance, and threw stones at police - who had gathered at the institution to monitor the situation.

One student was arrested for public violence. It was alleged that a pregnant student was also pushed by police. 

This morning, scores of students arrived at Steve Biko campus, where a heavy police presence was once again visible.

However, the crowds were forced to disperse peacefully by police.

Meanwhile, a media briefing is currently underway at the University of Zululand.

On Sunday evening, nine vehicles were set alight at the main campus.

UniZulu vice-chancellor Xoliswa Mtose has also come under fire for her "lavish" expenses - funded by the university.

She says the institution has received a lot of bad publicity of late, but that they are working on becoming a "leading comprehensive university providing quality education."

At UKZN, lectures have resumed without disruption.

On Monday, a students' residence at the PMB campus was set alight, while a cafeteria and vehicles were torched recently.

UKZN's Lesiba Seshoka says the damage to university property over the last few weeks has amounted to hundreds of millions.

"There's no questions about that, we will be fortunate if it were to run less than R150-million. It could actually be more than that," he said.