CPUT student housing resolved

PROTESTING students at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Cape Town campus have claimed victory after the institution provided accommodation to a group of about 100 students, according to the SRC.

This was after a violent protest that saw students disrupting lectures and exams and forcefully removing staff from classes. A fire was started in the multi-purpose hall.

The protest was sparked by the lack of student accommodation. Operations at the university were suspended for the safety of staff and students.

Yesterday, CPUT central SRC secretary-general Mbaliyezwe Madikizela said: “The list submitted to the university had about 200 names from the Cape Town campus and the university opened 118 rooms.”

But she said the list submitted was one of several, with the names of students in need.

“There are several lists with about 1 000 students still in need of accommodation. The majority come from the Eastern Cape from disadvantaged backgrounds and cannot afford private accommodation,” said Madikizela.

In a statement, acting vice-chancellor Chris Nhlapo said a meeting between management, residence staff and some student leaders, ended on a “positive note”.

“Student leaders produced a list of names of students who still require student housing. After hours of working through this list in an attempt to resolve the housing issue, we are pleased to announce that the deliberations ended with the majority of the students on the list being placed in residences.

“The matter was resolved with an assurance from student leaders that no further disruptions will take place across campuses,” he said.

CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley said they had about 9 124 beds and had provided accommodation for about 26% of its total student population. A tender process is under way to get more accommodation.