CPUT students to march over delayed fees report

A PLANNED march to Parliament by CPUT students ahead of the Fees Commission report’s release is set to take place from Keizersgracht at 10am tomorrow.

The recent unrest has been over the delayed release of the commission’s report, financial exclusion, lack of student accommodation and private security at CPUT and UCT.

Last week, UCT vice-chancellor (VC) Max Price said they were trying to expedite the process of getting the Fees Commission report released.

While the SRC at UCT was in a senate meeting, the institution had filed an interdict with the Western Cape High Court.

But yesterday, UCT spokesperson Elijah Moholola said the interdict was against unlawful protests that happened last week, causing the institution to shut down.

Student leader at UCT Seipati Tshabalala said they were not planning any protests this week. However, they were in talks with UCT management to come to a solution on various issues.

“What the government is proposing does not answer the question how do you define rich or poor in South Africa, it should be free education for all. Free education will then mean that it will be taxed from parents, citizens accordingly.”

Student leader at CPUT Lukhanyo Vanqa said: “I highly suspect that it was the government that leaked the report to City Press. It is a political strategy. The government must have a responsibility to respond to the people. CPUT will continue to be in a shutdown, it is a crisis and there is instability at the VC’s management office. When the government releases the higher commission report, we should at least have sorted out the majority of internal issues. Negotiations are needed with the people.”

The Universities of SA said it called on stakeholders, both internal and external, to work together to ensure that the examinations were brought to a successful conclusion.