Response to 16 June movement on illegal occupation of residences

The University of KwaZulu-Natal is receiving widespread concerns about a '16 June movement' that is encouraging students to return to campus and occupy residences. As a university, we are obliged to comply with the regulations for higher education institutions under lockdown level three.

It is highly irresponsible and dangerous to public health for any group of citizens to plan to act in this way. Anyone who is not personally sanctioned to re-enter the university will undermine all of our efforts to ensure that the UKZN community in its entirety is safe, as well as our preparations to prepare our campuses for eventual re-opening when conditions permit. Please do not endanger the lives of our university community.

Further to this, we will not pay any private landlords who admit students without the university's knowledge and written consent.

As previously stated, we have analysed our student enrolments in conjunction with the student categories stipulated by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. We are currently finalising the list of who will be eligible to return to campus and student residences (where applicable) under lockdown level three. The preliminary analysis indicates that we would be able to bring back the following categories of students:

* Final year undergraduate students enrolled in laboratory-based programmes who are on track to complete their qualifications in the current academic year.* Students in clinical programmes - this will be based on the availability of clinical learning opportunities; the college will communicate the details directly with students.* Students with disabilities.* Limited numbers of post-graduate students who require access to laboratory equipment for their studies.* The SRC Executive.* Student residence assistants, student life officers and residence assistant officers.* Students appointed as laboratory demonstrators for the students in the programmes that will be eligible to return to campus.

Only eligible students will be issued with permits and admittance procedures under COVID-19 to enable them to travel. Students who are not issued with permits or are not individually notified that they are eligible to return to campus will not be allowed to enter campus or student residences.

Safety is our number one priority and we cannot flout the law. Students who arrive on campus without university authorisation will be turned away.

Our security personnel has been trained to manage entrances to our campuses and ensure that only authorised people in terms of regulations gain access. All health and safety protocols will be followed to keep our campuses safe.

While UKZN remains closed under the lockdown conditions, we encourage our students and parents to visit our Web site: www.ukzn.ac.za for the latest updates and support on all matters.