UCT denies evicting students over fees

UCT has denied claims by student leaders that as many as 29 students were “evicted” from residences for not paying fees.

The university’s SRC said yesterd that some students had found their rooms were locked and their belongings removed.

Student leaders expressed dismay that the university would evict students before the midyear exams.

UCT spokesperson Elijah Moholola said no students were asked to “vacate their residences as a result of non-payment of fees”.

“The student housing and residence life office has sent notices to 12 students who are academically ineligible to continue in 2017 and are therefore not registered for this academic year.

“These students will be provided with the necessary transport assistance to return to their homes‚” said Moholola.

He said an additional 13 students had made payment arrangements with the university to settle their outstanding debt and would continue to have access to learning facilities but would only be registered as students once their fees were settled.

“UCT has put measures in place to assist students with debt‚ particularly in 2017 and last year.

“The UCT executive remains committed to‚ within the context of available resources‚ assisting all academically and financially eligible students‚” said Moholola.

Student advocacy coordinator Simone Cornelius said some students found their belongings had been placed in storage last week.

UCT SRC president Seipati Tshabalala said at a media conference on Friday that students were told that if they did not find alternative accommodation they could not write exams. — TMG