The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) has welcomed the ministerial intervention offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training, saying it is open to any assistance that could help bring an end to the ongoing tensions at the university.
Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has requested a team from the University Education Branch to visit CPUT and facilitate urgent engagement between university management, the Council and student leadership.
This comes after the university was forced to close after its Bellville campus was set alight. The incident caused significant disruption to teaching and learning, with CPUT estimating the recent unrest has resulted in about R400 000 in damage.
The unrest is mainly linked to the proposed 2027 financial plan, registration requirements and residence fees, among other issues.
Manamela has encouraged students to use legitimate channels to raise their concerns.
“The immediate priority is to bring the parties around the table, establish the facts and find a way forward that allows the academic programme to resume. Students have a right to raise legitimate concerns about their access to higher education. Those concerns must be heard and addressed through constructive engagement. Equally, no student or staff member should have to fear for their safety or be prevented from exercising their right to study or work,” Manamela said in a statement.
The minister says the main objective is to ensure that academic activities for the rest of the year can continue uninterrupted.
“We cannot allow an impasse to become a permanent disruption to the academic year. We need responsible leadership from all sides and a commitment to resolving these matters through dialogue rather than confrontation,” added the minister.
CPUT says it is hopeful that the intervention will produce the desired results and benefit all parties involved.
Spokesperson Lauren Kansley says the university remains open to communication.
“We welcome this intervention. Any steps that will bring calm to our campuses and speed up the return to the academic programme is positive for us. We remain open to any and all negotiations with the student leadership.”
The departmental team has been tasked with facilitating constructive engagement between the parties, establishing the facts behind the grievances, identifying matters that can be resolved immediately and helping the parties agree on a clear process to address outstanding issues.
The team will also support urgent efforts to restore teaching, learning and essential university services.
