A 22-year-old man, believed to be part of a group of protesters at the University of South Africa (Unisa) in Durban, collapsed and died on Thursday.
At least 200 students were protesting outside the campus, at the corner of Old Port Road and Stanger Street, over the university’s registration process.
Police said students had been throwing stones at vehicles and had prevented other students from entering the building to write a national examination.
Ten protesters were arrested at the scene for public violence.
Police spokesperson Inspector Michael Read said the student collapsed outside the International Convention Centre, which is opposite the campus.
”It appears as if he died from natural causes, but the body will be taken to the Gale Street mortuary and a post mortem will be carried out to establish the cause of death.”
Read said the student apparently suffered from asthma. The Independent Complaints Directorate was called to the scene to investigate the matter and the police have opened an inquest docket.
The protesters had since been dispersed. – Sapa