Security on high alert – UKZN management

7 September 2016

Durban – Security at the University of KwaZulu-Natal has been beefed up following the burning down of the Howard College law library, the university said on Wednesday.

"An investigation is currently underway. University RMS [Risk Management Services] and Public Order Policing are on high alert and monitoring the campus," university spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka said.

Seshoka said a large number of books had been destroyed in the fire.

"Security officials suspect arson."

A section of the library at the Howard College building caught fire around 17:30 on Tuesday.

The fire comes after violent protests erupted at the UKZN Westville campus on Monday night. Police said six vehicles from the campus were burnt and one building set alight.

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

The university’s Howard College and Pietermaritzburg campuses experienced violent student protest action, with some students being dispersed by rubber bullets.

Last week Tuesday, 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.