WATCH: Student shot at UKZN, while students mobilise at DUT

Several students have been arrested at UKZN Westville, as skirmishes between the student body and police at the campus continue unabated.

Police have fired rubber bullets and stun grenades at students, while those in residences located at the campus have retaliated by throwing stones at police - and incoming vehicles.

Police have also located several petrol bombs at the institution - including the SRC offices.

One student has been injured after being shot at by police inside one of the residences.

First-year student Austin Bailey, says he was attacked by private security guards, whilst inside his residence in E-block.

"They beat me up for struggling to breathe," he said - after the residence was tear gassed.

Video by: Chanelle Lutchman

The violence comes after a Whatsapp message went viral this morning, warning students against attending lectures today - a directive allegedly issued by SRC leaders, and SASCO.

A fire that broke out in a building at the institution has since been extinguished. 

Bins and benches were set alight at the institution's L-block.

Video by: Chanelle Lutchman

The university's Lesiba Leshoka has confirmed that lectures at the Westville campus have been cancelled for the rest of the day.

"We hope that they will resume tomorrow. But will be the choice will be the choice that is made by the students. So if they want to be in class, fine; if they don't want to be in class - good, it's okay, it's their choice," he said.

He added that staff have been asked to leave the campus as well, as "they can't continue when students are pelting stones and all this".

Meanwhile at UKZN's other campuses, lectures were unaffected by the Westville chaos this morning.

However, protests have now broken out at the Howard College campus.

At the Durban University of Technology, lectures have resumed at all campuses.

However, dozens of students have begun to mobilise at DUT's Steve Biko campus, refusing to attend scheduled classes.

They say they plan on gathering students who are already in lectures, to join in their protests.

There's a strong police presence monitoring the situation at the campus.

Video by: Anelisa Kubheka