Top academic suspended over student protests

A SENIOR staff member at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) was this week suspended for his alleged involvement in violent student protests.

Professor Mzikayise Binza, dean of business and management sciences at CPUT, was told on Tuesday he was being investigated for allegedly assisting protesting students.

In recent weeks, CPUT students have violently demanded the institution cancel their debts and waive their fees, claiming they cannot afford to pay.

They were seen smashing windows and burning the entrance of the main administration building on the Bellville campus. A security building and fees office were also set alight.

Weekend Argus tried repeatedly yesterday to contact Binza to get comment, but all cell and telephone numbers for him went unanswered.

CPUT spokeswoman Lauren Kansley was brief in her response on the matter.

“I can only confirm the suspension and not comment on anything further. Pending a disciplinary hearing, we will not be commenting further,” she said.

A source close to the matter, who did not want to be named, said Binza stood accused of meeting students who protested at the Bellville campus.

“It is being alleged that he was involved with the student protest. He was seen at the protest but he said that he was just trying to remove a burning dustbin,” said the source.

“He went against executive management’s back and met with students off campus. I don’t know if he was trying to meet them to stop the protest.”

Police have arrested several CPUT student protesters in recent weeks, charging them for public violence.