Cops take action against unruly CPUT students
The two arrested for illegal gathering in Plein Street were released on bail
CAPE Peninsula University of Technology’s (CPUT) dean of students, Cora Motale, was barred from leaving after she engaged protesting students at the university’s city edge residence in Cape Town yesterday.
Police were called to intervene as emotions ran high when Motale tried to engage the students about the suspension of four student leaders.
The students were also demanding an update on financial exclusion.
There was also damage to property.
Police used stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse the unruly students.
Earlier, students clashed with campus security officers who tried to stop them from blocking the entrance to the residence.
No injuries were reported and no one was arrested.
CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley said a full investigation would be conducted.
“The matter was resolved without incident and the dean did eventually leave.
“The ability for management to appropriately engage students on critical issues must also be based on staff members being allowed to leave afterwards,” she said.
Students said Ayakha Magxothwa, Sivuyise Nolusu, Lukhanyo Vanqa and Neo Mongale were suspended after being charged with disrupting an executive committee council meeting. They verbally abused members and threatened violence at the university’s Bellville campus.
Last month, CPUT was granted a court interdict preventing the four from disrupting or interfering with any activities on its campuses.
Yesterday, the university said Western Cape High Court Judge André le Grange granted an order postponing the return day of October 12 in the matter of CPUT and the four students to December 7.
“Please also note that the interim relief which interdicts and restrains, inter alia, the unlawful conduct on all CPUT campuses, academic sites and residences remains in place,” the university said.
The two students arrested for participating in an illegal gathering in Plein Street were released on bail yesterday.
The pair were arrested on Wednesday on their way to Parliament to hand over a memorandum to the Department of Higher Education and Training.