Protesting MUT student arrested

Durban, July 29: Police stormed a residence at Durban's Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) campus and arrested a student during protests on Tuesday.

Protesters had occupied a residence and emerged to throw stones and rocks. Police fired teargas and rubber bullets. Some protesters wore home-made masks, and one a balaclava.

A palm tree, next to the residence, was set alight. The fire was extinguished.

The protest erupted around midday when a group of about 200 students broke bottles, threw bricks and stones at police, and used cupboard doors to shield themselves from rubber bullets.

Security guards fired paintball guns loaded with pink plastic balls in an attempt to disperse the students.

Earlier on Tuesday, lectures resumed amid a heavy police and security presence.

Lectures were suspended on Monday following protests by students who owed the university money and demanded to be registered.

MUT spokesman Len Mzimela said on Monday an agreement had been reached with students owing more than R10,000 that they would be registered if they entered into negotiations on their outstanding debt.

Those protesting had refused to negotiate with the university.

- Sapa