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South Africa's education authorities have criticised students at the 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of the North who caused R4 million (?281,000) damage while rioting over the institution's refusal to fund a party.

Students trashed the campus, vandalised cars and set alight a hostel room, a security office containing electronic equipment and the main entrance of the campus.

The university called in police and obtained an interdict prohibiting students from damaging property or harassing people. It banned student meetings without permission and leaders of the students' representative council, South African Students Congress and Progressive Youth Alliance.

The rampage took place after the university refused to give the student council R300,000 to throw a first-year student ball.

Education minister Kader Asmal criticised the riots, and warned that politically aligned student groups would be discussed when provincial education ministers meet this month.