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The Democratic Alliance Students Organisation (DASO) Constituency Head, DA MP Hannah Winkler, DA MP Deputy Shadow Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Baxolile Ndoda and DA eThekwini DASO Councillor Siboniso Sibisi met with campus management at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) to discuss campus security, student accommodation needs and NSFAS, as well as to perform oversight on the Steve Biko Campus and a DUT residence.

We were received favourably by management and had a forthright discussion over campus security in light of the assault incident that claimed the life of young Sandile Ndlovu last year.

Campus management assured us that a new security company had been employed and that far more stringent security mechanisms had been implemented, which includes stricter control at campus access points, working, regularly-maintained security cameras, regular security patrolling and adequate lighting on all thoroughfares - including residences.

We will keep monitoring these systems.

DASO in KZN has issued a campus petition to ensure that the university remains committed to maintaining the above security measures and ensuring students' safety.

Incidents of scams where vulnerable students have been targeted by criminals for fake deposits to secure "accommodation" have also become an issue. DUT management responded that an awareness campaign had been created to warn students to only hand over money to campus cashiers and no-one else.

Residence and off-campus accommodation availability remain an issue for students and the university with a shortage of quality housing. DUT presently has an application process open for service providers to vie for leasing rights. As DASO, we will be monitoring the student housing challenge closely.

We have agreed to collaborate with DUT campus management and security to address all student issues going forward, ensuring that our students receive the best access to education and safety possible.

Issued by The DA