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The Democratic Alliance Students Organisation at the University of Zululand today extend an invite to the Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande and Minister of Police, Bheki Cele to come and spend a night at one of the university’s off campus residences.

This follows a break-in on Tuesday at the Dwala labahle off-campus residence where a group of armed men pointed guns at the students and took their belongings.

On Wednesday, DASO conducted an oversight at this residence and learnt that there are no CCTV cameras, no guard house, and there’s flimsy fencing.

We have also written to the University’s housing department to seek clarity on how this accommodation was passed as it does not meet the standards.

DASO has for years now been raising the issue of the safety of students at off-campus residences and calling for intervention, but our calls have fallen on deaf ears.

We are inviting both Minister Nzimande and Cele to come and spend a night at this residence without their bodyguards. It is unjust that the government spends millions of rands of ratepayer's money every year for their safety and to be driven around in blue lights yet the lives of students are being put on the line.

Issued by Councillor Sthabelo Ntshangase - DASO KZN Member