Protesters in Durban say a NSFAS rejection drove a student to suicide


Students from various campuses of the Durban University of Technology gathered on City Campus on Monday following reports that a DUT student committed suicide on Friday evening after being rejected by NSFAS.



Students from various campuses of the Durban University of Technology gathered on City Campus on Monday following reports that a DUT student committed suicide on Friday evening after being rejected by NSFAS.
The student, Lindelani Mfeka, 19,  was a first year student from the town of Dundee.
Reporting from the campus, Daily Vox reporter Qiniso Mbili says Mfeka thrashed his room on Friday evening. He then told representatives from the residence committee that he had just received a text message from NSFAS informing him that his NSFAS application had been rejected. “One committee member left to fetch a security guard to stop the student from thrashing his room further and when security arrived he jumped out of his sixth floor window, in full view of others.”
In a letter to DUT students and staff on Monday, Vice Chancellor Ahmed Bawa said the university was still investigating the student’s financial status at the institution.
Lectures were disrupted at the campus on Monday and there is a visible police presence there. Stun grenades were heard shortly after midday and private security have also fired pellet guns in an effort to disperse the students.According to students, a white staff member has allegedly shown the middle finger to protesting students. The SRC secretary says City Campus will not operate until that staffer is suspended.
Earlier, protesting students from other campuses sent a message to City Campus students saying that they are on their way and to evacuate from classes. Security however barricaded the gates to prevent other students from entering the campus.

Source : The Daily Vox