Umlazi college students rally against 'gunpoint' housing allocations
Coastal KZN TVET College students at the uMlazi V-section campus protesting about a student accommodation that they are being forced to move into despite their concerns for safety in the south Durban township. They have vowed to continue with their protest.
Image: TUMI PAKKIES Independent Newspapers
Students at the uMlazi campus of Coastal KZN TVET College, located in the V-Section of the township south of Durban, are engaged in ongoing protests over deteriorating living conditions and alleged intimidation regarding their residential placements.
Speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal and their safety, students claim they are being coerced into occupying specific accommodations owned by a businessman allegedly linked to the Delangokubona Business Forum. Efforts to reach Delangokubona to verify these links were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
The tension reportedly escalated two weeks ago following a disturbing incident on campus.
"Two weeks ago, the man arrived on the institution's premises brandishing a firearm. He pointed the gun at a staff member responsible for student housing and demanded that students be placed in his facilities rather than others," alleged one student protester.
Despite the gravity of the allegation, students claim the college has failed to take legal action. "Pointing a firearm at someone is a criminal offense. We want to know why the institution has not opened a case against him," the student added.
Coastal KZN TVET College students at the uMlazi V-section campus carrying placards in their protest over unaddressed concerns about power and water outages, security issues and unreliable Wi-Fi at a student accomodation they are being forced to move into in the south Durban township.
Image: TUMI PAKKIES Independent Newspapers
Instead of pursuing charges, students allege they were instructed to comply with the businessman's demands, reportedly being told that "big brother" had spoken.
The grievances extend beyond the alleged threats. Students who resided in these properties last year reported a litany of issues, including frequent water and power outages and unreliable Wi-Fi.
"When students reported these issues to him, he would take out his gun," the student claimed. "We are uncomfortable living in residences owned by someone we fear, someone who ignores maintenance and responds to complaints with threats."
Safety is a primary concern for the protesters, who highlighted a total lack of security at the student residences they are being forced to move into. Many stated a preference for accommodations in the Durban CBD, which offer 24-hour security and a sense of safety.
"We have a right to choose where we stay without being threatened or forced into substandard housing," a protester stated.
The protest is set to continue until these grievances are addressed, according to the students. However, a climate of fear persists; students claim they are being monitored, alleging that the businessman has dispatched individuals to infiltrate student WhatsApp groups to identify those leading the opposition to the use of his student rental properties.
The businessman’s phone rang unanswered, and Coastal KZN TVET College had not responded to requests for comment at the time of going to press.