Mohamed Ameen Dabhelia – 2017/08/04

The University of KwaZulu-Natal has suspended all academic activities at its medical school campus in Durban until further notice, due to ongoing student protests.

Sunday Tribune Journalist Nabeelah Sheikh told Radio Islam that laptops and other electronic devices of more than 286 University of KwaZulu-Natal staff members were seized during a police raid.

“The search and seizure operation, which was conducted at the university’s Nelson Mandela Medical School is part of ongoing investigations into allegations of the sale of medical school seats and other seats within the faculty of health sciences.”

Sheikh says the university have also identified five students who were allegedly involved in the scam.

Speaking to Radio Islam, Secretary General of the Student Representative Council’s (SRC) Medical Campus Tumisang Malete says two students have been arrested as a result of the protests.

“Because two of our students being arrested, we are today at the Durban Magistrates awaiting proceedings to start.”

Malete says the only form of communication they’ve received from management, is an email with the allegations, nothing more.

“We have not received information of who is involved, but what we want is that whoever is selling seats for places in the medical faculty, irrespective of their rank to be suspended.”

The rot @UKZN Medical campus @CallMeMpilo pic.twitter.com/xHya12JfZi

— SIBONELO (@ngcoyasibonelo) May 14, 2017

Vice Chancellor Dr Albert Van Jaarsveld told journalists that a staff member involved in the sale of places has already been dismissed, while others have been served with suspension notices.

The SRC adds that the mandate of the students remain that there will be no decentralization program.

This is after concern was raised after speculation relating to the deployment of close to three hundred Cuban medical students making their way to clinics and hospitals in Durban under the ‘Cuban Collaboration Programme’, something which will most likely threaten the placements of local students as the campus allegedly plans to relocate local students to Stanger and Newcastle.

The University’s medical campus is closed indefinitely until further notice.

(Edited by Hesley Harmse)