TUT and UKZN back to business

Classes have resumed at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal campuses after protests at both institutions last week.

TUT evicted students from a number of its campuses during the first week of lectures following violent protests over the financial aid crisis.

All academic activities were suspended until last Friday when an agreement was reached with the university’s student representative council (SRC). A formal agreement is expected to be reached by the end of today according to university spokesperson, Willa de Ruyter.

For the time being, she said, central management and the SRC have agreed that “students cannot lose more time with their studies”.

The university has extended the registration deadline until March 3 to allow students more time, according to de Ruyter.

The first week of lectures at UKZN had also been suspended, but according to the university’s communications department, “everything was back to normal and it is all very peaceful”. It remains unclear as to why students were protesting at the institution although the issue of financial exclusion was raised by the SRC.