Image via: Wikimedia Commons
CPUT closes its campuses for the day due to ‘volatile situation’
CPUT has decided to cease all university operations across all campuses for the safety of its staff and students.
Image via: Wikimedia Commons
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s (CPUT) campuses will be closed on Monday 9 March following ongoing protest action which led to four arrests on Friday 6 March.
The university announced on Twitter on Sunday that operations would most likely resume on Tuesday 10 March.
“Due to the continued volatile situation on Bellville campus and in the interests of staff and students’ safety, executive management has decided to cease all university operations (academic, administration and support) across all campuses on Monday 9 March 2020,” it said.
“Staff must work from home, if possible. All university operations will resume on Tuesday 10 March 2020. Further communication to follow,” it added.
CPUT operations suspended
Violent protests broke out at the Bellville CPUT campus last week. According to EWN, students were removed from their lecture rooms by demonstrators who reportedly told them they would not allow classes to continue until their grievances are heard.
Substantial damage had been done to several buildings and at least 17 cars were stoned during the protests. Four students were later arrested on Friday.
CPUT’s Lauren Kansley said they understood the protests were linked to residence and campus catering issues.
“All operations have been suspended across CPUT campuses as a result of protest action. The management team meets with the SRC [student representative council] at least three times a week and the protest action has been ongoing despite these engagements. Suspension of activities has taken place in the interests of staff and student safety,” she said.
Nzimande calls for calm
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande on Sunday called on students not to allow their legitimate grievances to be used by political opportunists.
Students are airing their concerns around historic debt and other issues that need to be addressed urgently. Some universities have not been able to begin the financial year because of the upheaval.
Nzimande’s spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi said: “The minister is grateful to all stakeholders in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape governments for the assistance they provided to bring stability in the affected institutions. He calls upon political formations to refrain from turning students’ concerns into political opportunism and manoeuvring.”
UFH closes its doors
On Thursday 5 March, the University of Fort Hare (UFH) in the Eastern Cape also closed its doors due to ongoing violent protests.
Students were told to leave the campus, vacate their rooms, gather up all their belongings and return home — they had until 18:00 on Thursday to do so.
UFH vice-chancellor Sakhela Buhlungu released a statement on Thursday morning saying that the university had experienced ongoing threats of violence against staff, students and members of the public — as well as looting and damage to property.
Despite a court interdict, teaching and registration were impeded. Management later took the “difficult decision” to suspend the teaching programme on all campuses.
