Major university in South Africa shuts down with immediate effect
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) has initiated an emergency evacuation of all its residences and closed all campuses following an arson attack, ending academic activity with immediate effect.
In an urgent notification sent to staff and students on Tuesday, 18 August, the university announced that the closure would be indefinite and would remain in effect until further notice.
“Management has the responsibility to ensure the health and safety of all staff and students. Yesterday evening, fire officials responded to the burning of the Old Education building at the Bellville campus,” university management said.
CPUT said that while no one was injured in the latest arson attack, it is a serious concern that the level of violence is escalating to a point where someone could be seriously injured or worse.
Ongoing violent disruptions have compelled university management to close all campuses until further notice and to evacuate all residences immediately.
Some of these disruptions include the torching of buildings and attacks on institutional infrastructure.
“Unruly individuals, acting in bad faith, with the sole purpose of making the university dysfunctional, have left Management with no other choice but to act swiftly and decisively,” said the university.
CPUT stressed that the safety of staff and students is its primary concern.
The university said that all academic activities will cease with immediate effect while staff continue to work from home.
It said that essential workers and selected support staff will be needed for on-campus operations and will be communicated to through their line.
It announced all residences must be vacated within 24 hours by Wednesday, 19 August at 4 pm. All students are to leave by that date as residences will be closed.
“Management again wishes to emphasise that the evacuation is meant to address safety concerns of all our students and staff during this trying period,” said CPUT.
“The safety of our campus community is our top priority, and the evacuation is now our only option to de-escalate the violence and protect lives.”
CPUT’s Management said it remains focused on finding a solution to conclude the academic year as soon as possible.
“We ask for your support as we do everything in our power to save our CPUT,” it said.
Plans to recover R4.2 billion in debt
The attack follows days of unrest and protests amongst students after they submitted a second memorandum regarding the university’s plan to address its R4.2 billion in debt.
To implement this plan, the university would require students to pay a mandatory registration fee of R7,000 and a portion of their outstanding arrears upfront.
Under this new recovery plan, the option to register by signing a debt pledge will no longer be available. However, violence erupted on campus as students opposed the new Draft Financial Recovery Plan.
The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) withdrew its draft financial plan after student protests shut down its campuses.
During the protests, lectures were halted at various of the CPUT campuses, and students planned to stage a shutdown.
CPUT students delivered a memorandum of demands to the university management at the Bellville campus, following a mass meeting organised by the Central SRC.
The protests, organised by the central SRC, drew participation from various student organisations.
This includes the Pan-Africanist Student Movement of Azania, the Economic Freedom Fighters Students’ Command, and the uMkhonto weSizwe Student Movement.
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