The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) has announced an extension to its 2023 registration period. This comes after a week of disruptions, protests and alleged public violence at the institution.
The extension of the registration period will not include any Humanities and Health Sciences programmes at the university. This is because these programmes are full at the undergraduate level.
Postgraduate registration in all UKZN colleges is extended to Friday 10 March 2023. All undergraduate registrations that are parked by 4 PM on Friday 24 February can be finalised by 10 March 2023.
Students wanting to change their courses will not be allowed to after the close of business on 24 February 2023.
Several are encountering challenges accessing accommodation at the UKZN. In recent days, students have been sleeping outside and in halls, as they make alternative arrangements.
Students claim that they have not been allocated rooms despite receiving UKZN’s confirmation of their accommodation for the 2023 academic year.
UKZN SRC Chairperson Nokwanda Nxele says more than 90 students slept outside the gates at the university’s Pietermaritzburg campus on Wednesday. These students were told to leave the campus hall and wait until the next morning for assistance.
One female student described sleeping outside as chaotic. They explained that it was cold and chaotic but acknowledged the assistance of the SRC which ensured students got something to eat.
Two students were arrested for public violence at UKZN’s Edgewood campus after clashes with university security.
In a statement, the UKZN said staff are working to assign students with accommodation. The university has allocated 19,550 beds for the 2023 academic year
UKZN said by Thursday they had registered more than 17,700 students and allocated them accommodation. They added that 640 students were allocated beds in accommodation facilities but are still required to register.
They called on students to always carry their valid student cards and proof of registration on campus. This is as they work to strengthen their security measures.
UKZN said, “Only bona fide students, staff, service providers and approved visitors will be permitted access to campuses as the University will continue implementing strict measures to regulate entry.”
They warned that students are prohibited from wearing a balaclava or any other garment that covers their face for malicious purposes on campus. They say these types of garments were used by criminals to conceal their identity while engaging in illegal activities.
