Viral video footage caught on camera by eyewitnesses showed the horrid moments a campus security post was torched at the Mangosuthu University of Technology, with the guards inside.
Mangosuthu University riots: Students torch security post with guards inside
The chaos that broke out at the Durban institution of higher learning forced a suspension of all lectures and exams on Thursday. In a statement, the tertiary confirmed an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the riots, but from the information gathered thus far, it’s believed at least 30 students “started pelting security personnel at the main entrance with stones.”
“Security personnel who were in the guardroom when the incident started could not go out in fear of being struck by the stones,” the university confirmed.
Shockingly, the security officials who were stuck inside the guard post were subjected to the worst nightmare imaginable after students torched the campus infrastructure using hand sanitiser as the accelerant.
Fortunately, the guards made it out of the post in time, and thus suffered no burns or life-threatening injuries.
“The protesting students proceeded to burn two university vehicles and caused destruction to several other university assets. The protesting group was carrying five litres of sanitiser, which they used to start the fire,” the campus added.
Thus far, the list of damaged assets includes:
- The windows at the academic affairs offices
- Examination office
- Senate chambers
- Two campus vehicles
- Refrigerators
- Mobile toilets that were provided to students for use in light of ongoing water shortages
Videos of the chaos surfaced on social media, and as things stand, efforts are underway to identify the culprits behind the heinous attack.
VIDEO: A video has been shared on social media showing Mangosuthu University of Technology on fire. A team is on the way and details will follow. pic.twitter.com/E5eY2EpprY
— 1KZNTV News (@1KZNtvNews) June 23, 2022
Violent protest at Mangosuthu University of Technology, KZN. pic.twitter.com/q5h9tdXvT7
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) June 23, 2022