The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) has ordered students to vacate all university residences within 24 hours and suspended academic activities with immediate effect following escalating violence during a two-week student protest.
The university’s campuses will remain closed until further notice, while staff members will continue working remotely.
The protest centres on CPUT’s proposed 2027 financial recovery plan, with students accusing the institution of introducing new financial requirements that they say could make registration and accommodation increasingly difficult for financially disadvantaged and National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas)-funded students.
One student, who asked not to be named, said students had been informed they would have to pay R3,500 for registration and another R3,500 for residence registration from next year, including those receiving Nsfas funding.
“We were told that you also have to pay 30% of your debt. At the same time, Nsfas only pays between R50,000 and R55,000 for accommodation, while our residences cost about R65,000 to R70,000 a year. Unfortunately, we cannot afford to pay the remaining amount, so it accumulates every year,” she said.
CPUT Students Reject Residence Evacuation Order
Students have vowed to remain in university residences despite the evacuation instruction.
Lizole Xhaya said students had received communication on Tuesday instructing them to leave but would not comply.
“We received communication today [Tuesday] to vacate our residences. We are not going anywhere. We do not agree with what the institution wants to introduce,” Xhaya said.
He said students had previously been able to register after signing an acknowledgement of debt (AOD), but that arrangement would change next year.
“The SRC [Student Representative Council] has sat with management, but there has been no consensus because they are arrogant.”
Xhaya also said attempts to continue teaching online during the past two weeks had been disrupted by other students.
Another student, Xola, said he was from Qumbu in the Eastern Cape and had no relatives in Cape Town.
“I truly don’t know what will happen if we are forced to leave. My mother survives on a government grant, and she won’t be able to afford to send me transport money to go home,” he said.
CPUT Protest Escalates As University Reports Arson And Damage
The SRC said the protest followed years of frustration among students who had “exercised patience” while dealing with deteriorating residence conditions, financial exclusion, administrative inefficiencies and delayed service delivery.
CPUT, however, said the escalation in violence and damage to infrastructure had left management with little choice but to close the institution.
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The university said fire officials responded to the burning of the Old Education Building at its Bellville campus on Monday evening.
“While no one was injured in this latest arson attack, it is a grave concern that the level of violence is now escalating to a point where someone is likely to be seriously injured or worse,” the university said.
CPUT said continued violent disruptions, the torching of buildings and attacks on institutional infrastructure had forced it to close all campuses and immediately evacuate residences.
“Unruly individuals, acting in bad faith, with the sole purpose of making the university dysfunctional, have left management with no choice but to act swiftly and decisively.”
The university said the evacuation was intended to address safety concerns and help de-escalate the violence.
CPUT Details Extent Of Damage Across Three Campuses
According to CPUT, its campuses have experienced violence and disruption over the past five days, resulting in harm to students and staff and significant damage to university property across three campuses.
Reported damage includes broken windows, a burnt vehicle, a damaged classroom, flooded buildings, damaged health and safety equipment, damaged perimeter fencing and security equipment, and damage to the recently restored Ikamva building.
A cafeteria was also reportedly broken into and damaged.
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CPUT condemned the violence, intimidation and destruction of university property, saying the disruption was affecting its infrastructure and its ability to fulfil its academic mandate.
Students, meanwhile, have vowed to continue with their protest and said they plan to march to Parliament to hand over a memorandum setting out their grievances.
