{"id":871253,"date":"2026-08-21T08:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T06:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=871253"},"modified":"2026-08-21T09:20:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T07:20:10","slug":"shutdown-at-major-university-will-continue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/government\/871253\/shutdown-at-major-university-will-continue\/","title":{"rendered":"Shutdown at major university will continue"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Student leaders at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) have stated that the university shutdown will continue unless management resolves their demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CPUT suspended all academic activity and shut down the university this week after student protests escalated into violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On August 20, 2026, the situation at CPUT escalated, leading to direct government intervention by the Department of Higher Education and Training. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Minister Buti Manamela requested that a team from the university education branch collaborate with CPUT to facilitate discussions between the university and student leadership groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Manamela sent a departmental team to facilitate discussions between student leaders and management in order to resolve the standstill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Student leaders at CPUT are expected to update the students and media later today, explaining the way forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This intervention followed the university’s immediate shutdown due to an arson attack on its Bellville campus, which caused significant disruptions to teaching and learning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The attack occurred amid ongoing student dissatisfaction with CPUT\u2019s proposed financial plan for 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proposed plan included changes to the management of historical debt and addressed several other key issues, prompting student bodies to express their concerns in a memorandum sent to the university. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement, the Department of Higher Education and Training condemned the attacks on the university and urged students to utilise proper channels for expressing their grievances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Ministry condemns unequivocally the destruction of university property, violence, intimidation and any conduct that places students, staff and other members of the university community at risk,\u201d said the Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Minister urges students to use legitimate channels through which to raise concerns affecting their access to higher education, affordability and living and learning conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Department\u2019s team has been dispatched to handle several functions, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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facilitate structured and constructive engagement between the parties;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
establish the verified facts underlying the respective grievances;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
identify matters that can be resolved immediately;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
assist the parties to agree to a clear and time-bound process for addressing outstanding matters; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n
support urgent efforts to restore learning, teaching and essential university services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d Manamela said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStudents have a right to raise legitimate concerns about their access to higher education. Those concerns must be heard and addressed through constructive engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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