Arrested UKZN students granted bail

7 September 2016

Durban - A group of University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) students who were arrested during protests at the institution were granted bail of R200 each on Wednesday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said.

NPA spokesperson Natasha Kara said the 13 students were charged with a range of crimes, including assault, possession of a dangerous weapon, public violence, convening a gathering without notice, attending an illegal gathering, failing to comply with a police order and interference with police duties.

Police had previously indicated that 16 people had been arrested.

The matter was adjourned until October 19 for further investigation.

The students were arrested following violent protests at the UKZN Westville campus on Monday night. Police said six vehicles were burnt on the campus and a building was set alight.

On Tuesday, police dispersed a crowd of around 30 students who were chanting struggle songs at the Westville campus. Students reported being tear-gassed. A small fire in a bin had to be extinguished.

Following the torching of the Howard College law library on Tuesday night more violence erupted.

The university's Howard College and Pietermaritzburg campuses experienced violent student protests, with groups of students being dispersed by officers firing rubber bullets in some cases.

On Tuesday last week, the Howard College coffee shop was set alight, while the Pietermaritzburg main exam hall went up in flames a day later.

This article first appeared on News24, see here.