The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, condemns reported incidence of arson and intimidation of both staff and students at the University of KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus.
These criminal acts are reported to be linked to the ongoing student protests at the university.
Consequently, the William O’Brien examination venue was burned down in the early hours of the 22nd August 2023.
The Minister is pleased that a case of public violence has been opened, and that the university is cooperating with law enforcement agencies to ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts are held accountable.
“These are pure acts of criminality and those who are behind them must be identified, shamed and arrested irrespective of who they are,” said Minister Nzimande.
Minister Nzimande further called upon UKZN Student Representative Council (SRC) to equally condemn these acts of disdain and work together with the management of the university and law enforcement agencies to identify the individuals behind these acts which are also meant to delay the students from pursuing their studies.
“Should it be established that there are students behind these criminal acts, they must be subjected to the university internal disciplinary processes because arson, vandalism and intimidation are counter revolutionary and will not justify any legitimate forms of protest and should be condemned unequivocally by all, including by student themselves.” said Minister Nzimande.
Minister Nzimande said the Department of Higher Education and Training is investing about R8.662 billion across all the 26 universities during the 2023/24-2025/26 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period in improving the infrastructure of our universities.
This is amongst the reasons that government will not tolerate individuals who would want to deny the current and the future generations from enjoying better and improved infrastructure in the post school education and training sector.
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