It was disturbing that management at the University of Zululand would rather spend its budget on lavish homes for their executives than students, a Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor said on Wednesday.

According to uMhlathuze municipality ward councillor Christo Botha, recent media reports revealed that the university had purchased a R24-million property at Zini River Estate.

He said, after the furnishing of the property, the figure had grown to an estimated R35-million.

"It is deeply concerning to see a university located in rural and impoverished parts of KwaZulu-Natal neglecting its constituents in this manner," he said.

Botha said, while the DA condemned violent protests, the party felt it was appalling that the university had splashed out on "unnecessary expenditures".

He went on to say the R35-million could have been used to finance 242 students for a three-year degree, which he said cost R17 648 at the university.

"With 16 South African universities in a financial crisis, the DA believes that stronger leadership is needed on this matter. The minister of education, Blade Nzimande, has clearly failed in this regard."

Botha added: "The DA will continue to do everything possible to ensure that the funding crisis is resolved and that no person is denied an education simply because they are poor."