Classes continue amidst student protests at CPUT campuses
Buildings have been set alight at the Bellville and Wellington Campus of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology amid student protests.
A cleaning supply room was set alight on the Bellville Campus, while a student recreational space was burnt in Wellington. Protests have also since broken out at the District Six campus.
CPUT spokesperson, Lauren Kansley, says the reasons given by protesting students range from, amongst others, shuttle service matters, cafeterias and the need for additional accommodation.
She added that academic programs are continuing, despite protests, and that the protest action largely relates to a new NSFAS funding condition that any student who is studying less than 60 course credits is no longer eligible for accommodation.
“CPUT has 35 000 students and this protest action is being perpetrated by a relatively small group. The university is not shut down and the academic programme continues,” Kansley said.
NSFAS initially verified these students for study at the beginning of this year, they were also accepted into the institution's accredited and unaccredited accommodation.
According to Kansley, the new NSFAS condition affects about 822 CPUT students who have now been left unfunded in critical areas.
Done by: Thaakiera Ackerdien
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