Over 5,000 students at the Durban University of Technology are facing severe financial difficulties due to delayed allowances from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.
Image: File / Khulasande Tshayile
Students at Durban University of Technology (DUT) have taken matters into their own hands after being left without their National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances, resulting in widespread hardship and protests across campuses.
It is reported that students have not received their allowances since the start of the academic year, placing many under severe strain as they rely on the funding for food, transport, and basic necessities.
According to DUT’s Student Representative Council (SRC), more than 5,000 students were affected and have yet to receive their allowances.
Student frustration was further intensified by what they described as inconsistent communication from DUT’s financial aid and finance offices regarding NSFAS funding.
Student Lindo Vilakazi told the Daily News about concerns over the situation, including dissatisfaction with the SRC’s response.
“Therefore, we decided to take the matter into our own hands. We tried to communicate with them (DUT) via emails and Teams meetings, but they did nothing to help us,” he said.
The discontent escalated into protests on Wednesday, with students demanding accountability for the delayed payments. Some protesters were reportedly arrested following violent clashes with security personnel.
First-year student Aphelele Cele described the toll of the delays.
“I come from a disadvantaged background. For almost two months, I didn’t have much to eat. My neighbours started offering me food because they could see I had lost a lot of weight due to this situation,” Cele said.
She added that DUT had informed students that a payment template had been submitted to NSFAS and that they were awaiting approval.
“But nothing is forthcoming from them,” she said.
Cele suggested that the protests may have yielded some results, as the institution announced plans to release funds on Thursday.
DUT had previously acknowledged a surge in registered students, raising concerns about the institution’s readiness to support the increased number, particularly NSFAS beneficiaries.
Protests spread across multiple DUT campuses, including Steve Biko, Ritson, ML Sultan, and Indumiso. The university’s communications manager, Tiyani Mboweni, confirmed that demonstrators had engaged in unlawful activities.
He reported incidents of property damage and intimidation of staff and students, with a security guard sustaining serious injuries during the unrest.
“The matter is being managed in accordance with institutional protocols and in cooperation with SAPS,” Mboweni said that DUT would not tolerate further disruptions.
“Our priority is the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and the broader university community,” he said.
Mboweni revealed that 4,569 payment templates had been submitted to NSFAS and assured students that those approved would have their payments processed by the end of the week.
He also urged students to use official communication channels for accurate updates, emphasising that while their grievances are acknowledged, violence and intimidation are unacceptable.
Mboweni revealed that 4 569 payment templates had been submitted to NSFAS and assured students that those approved would have their payments processed by the end of the week.
He also urged students to use official communication channels for accurate updates, emphasising that while their grievances were acknowledged, violence and intimidation were unacceptable.
DAILY NEWS