University arson cases investigated
THREE cases of arson are being investigated by the police after buildings were torched at campuses of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).
“The circumstances surrounding the arson cases are being investigated. A petrol bomb was thrown at a building at the CPUT campus in Bellville South, while a building was set alight at the CPUT campus in Mowbray and Cape Town (early yesterday morning). No one has been arrested as yet,” said police spokesperson Andrè Traut.
CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley said the institution could not afford the attacks as millions had to be spent in refurbishing, and insurance payouts took time.
“A small minority were responsible for the arson attacks, which will cost millions to repair. Early this morning (yesterday) security personnel discovered one of the lecture theatres was alight in Cape Town. A staff room was torched in Mowbray, while in Bellville a petrol bomb caused significant damage to a financial aid office. At this stage we are not aware of the reasons behind these attacks.”
Last week exams were disrupted and there was a big security presence when a workshop at the engineering building on the Cape Town campus was gutted after being petrol- bombed.
CPUT’s acting vice-chancellor, Chris Nhlapo, said since the start of student protest activities in 2015, substantial damage to CPUT buildings and property amounted to more than R45 million.