CPUT goes back to class on Wednesday

THE Cape Peninsula University of Technology ( CPUT) remains shut, with no clarity on exam plans following days of violence and vandalism on its Cape Town campus this week.

The university said it had to suspend all academic activities indefinitely to ensure everyone’s safety, but a communiqué issued yesterday announced that it would resume teaching and learning on Wednesday.

The suspension of classes came amid concerns for the safety of students and staff as a group of protesting students clashed with security guards and police.

Earlier this week, four students who were charged with disrupting a council meeting were found guilty by a disciplinary hearing and given a suspended expulsion. The university explained that, if found guilty of a similar offence in the next 12 months, they would be expelled.

However, students went on a rampage demanding that their fellow students be reinstated, seemingly not understanding that the four were still allowed to be on campus provided they were not involved in disruptive activities. Students burnt bed linen, vandalised cars and disrupted classes.

Acting vice-chancellor Dr Chris Nhlapo thanked the university community for its patience.

“A decision has now been taken to resume normal institutional activities on Wednesday, October 18, across all CPUT campuses,” he said.

“Staff are asked to work remotely where possible, and to remain on standby so that urgent work-related matters can be attended to. The safety concerns of parents, staff and students have not fallen on deaf ears and management continues to actively engage with all stakeholders to finally bring an end to the disruptions and violence.

“Today (yesterday) a meeting between management and stakeholders started at 1pm and we are positive that proactive results will be yielded from that.“We remain confident that the academic year will be completed successfully and, for that reason, ask all students living in residences not to go home prematurely.”

noloyiso.mtembu@inl.co.za

PICTURE: TRACEY ADAMS/ANA St Marks Church seen through razor wire, which has been placed in front of the CPUT campus in Keizersgracht Street, Zonnebloem.