CPUT places over 400 students in need of accommodation amid protests
Cape Town - The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) has confirmed the placement of more than 400 students in need of accommodation following protests at campuses in District Six and Bellville.
Buses transporting these students were loaded in the early hours of Sunday morning, after vetting the group to establish who was eligible to be placed, said CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley.
“We have had a positive development in the placement of students who have been gathering outside the District Six campus. The vetting and processing of applicants has been happening every day this week, with batches of 50- 100 students being housed as spaces became available. The process will continue today (Sunday) and into the new week.
“At this stage the applicants who are left are mostly not registered for study in 2025, NSFAS or funding rejected, or they were not able to provide valid student numbers.
“We appreciate the efforts of our colleagues who have worked after hours to diligently assist. Further updates will be sent as they become available.”
The University also said they were pursuing disciplinary actions against illegitimate student leaders who were attempting to destabilise the institution’s operations.
CPUT student leader Lihle Mkohliwe said students were forced to attend classes while not having a place to sleep, eat or wash.
“These students have been sleeping here for more than four weeks since they arrived here on January 8. They applied for residency but their status says ‘pending’ which means residency is full. Everything is continuing as normal like nothing is wrong, and they are expected to attend classes on a daily basis.
“Let me ask, how do you attend classes on an empty stomach and when they did not even shower.
“How are they to attend classes if they did not get to rest properly.
“That is why we are here, we as the leadership decided to come together and expose what CPUT is doing inside.”
Kansley said the university had reached full capacity but that they had seen an influx of students seeking accommodation.
“The institution has now reached over 100% capacity in undergraduate enrolments. The fast acceptance of study offers has been unprecedented this year. We have never seen applicants accept their places as fast as they have in 2025,” she added.
She said this eagerness to study at CPUT has also had negative implications.