The Council of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) has conceded to one of the demands of disgruntled students, following a series of protests on Wednesday.
One of the demands in the memorandums that students handed over to the university’s management included a request for the withdrawal of the Draft 2027 Financial Recovery Plan. Their other demands included the removal of the university’s Head of Finance, Msulwa Daca, the Vice-Chancellor, Chris Nhlapo and the Head of Infrastructure, Development and Planning, Marius Hull.
CPUT spokesperson, Lauren Kansley, confirmed that following a special sitting of the Council on Wednesday night, the Council opted to withdraw the Draft 2027 Financial Recovery Plan.
“A decision was taken to withdraw the draft Financial Recovery Plan for 2027, so that further consultation can happen. Council is the highest decision-making body of the institution, and the discussion around the minimum initial payment was taken at the behest of them so that more robust financial planning happens,” said Kansley.
Kansley said the Council hoped that their decision would prevent any further protest action and disruption on campuses, but Western Cape SAPS confirmed that protests broke out at “institutes of learning” in three separate locations on Wednesday: namely Bellville, District Six and Wellington.
In the Bellville incident, SAPS spokesperson Wesley Twigg noted that roughly 1,700 people gathered to stage a protest, during which time they allegedly attacked a building and a security guard. He said two people, aged 19 and 21, were arrested in connection with a case of public violence.
“According to reports a building was set alight and a security guard was injured and transported to a medical facility for treatment. Police action was taken to disperse the crowd and to restore calm,” said Twigg.
Regarding the protest on Hanover Street in District Six, Twigg advised that another case of public violence was opened for investigation. He said about 500 people are said to have been part of the protest, with officers attached to the Public Order Police unit having been dispatched at about 21:30 to implement crowd control measures.
“According to reports a crowd of about 500 participants gathered outside the building where they blockaded the roadway with burning tyres and throwing stones at vehicles… Public Order Police remain in the affected area to monitor the situation and respond to any eventuality that may arise. No arrests have been made,” said Twigg.
Then in Wellington, Twigg said officers were also called out to College Street at around 22:15, where approximately 220 people were protesting. Like with the previously mentioned incidents, a public violence case was registered, but no arrests have been made yet.
“Trees, fencing and a vehicle were set alight and stones were thrown at police and Fire and Rescue Services and windows of a building were damaged. Police action was taken to disperse the crowd.”
Kansley noted that no major infrastructure damage was reported, other than flooding and broken gates, which the university is attending to.
“For now, we are continuing with online classes, and CPUT management will make a decision on when in-person classes resume,” said Kansley.
Meanwhile, the SAPS advised that law enforcement authorities are monitoring the situation in all three areas where protests occurred.
“Western Cape police are urging those who participate in protest action to do so within the ambit of the law. Those who find themselves on the wrong side of the law will face the consequences of their actions,” said Twigg.
