Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) students still waiting for student accommodation, marched to parliament in protest to highlight the institution's ongoing accommodation issues. Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
THE Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) has blamed “intoxicated” individuals as being behind the protest that led to violent clashes with campus security over lack of accommodation related grievances.
In videos, a group of people suspected to be students are seen fighting with campus security personnel who use chairs and batons to disperse the group.
Frustration had been building up ahead of Sunday night’s clashes as students camped outside the District Six Campus demanding to be placed in residencies.
At the weekend, CPUT had announced it had placed a large group of qualifying students and that those who did not meet its criteria were not provided with accommodation.
CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley said that campus security was forced to intervene after the group set fire to infrastructure, stoned windows and attacked campus security.
“In some cases it was clear that these individuals were intoxicated and security needed to restrain them for their own safety since they were a danger to both themselves and others.
“These clashes are extremely disheartening especially since our staff members worked through the weekend to place 534 students in residence. The clashes which took place are perpetrated by applicants who were not part of this group, and have been told that they do not qualify for residence,” Kansley said.
Kansley said that some of the applicants were ineligible for residence because they were “career students” who have exceeded their years of study and are no longer funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.
“Out of anger they then went on a rampage and attacked our buildings and staff last night. The placement of bona fide students is done with compassion and empathy since we understand the frustration and anxiety of not having a residence place. Despite these difficult conditions, our staff members continue to work directly with applicants with ‘pending’ statuses to try and find places for eligible students,” she said.
A student affiliated with the South African Students Congress (SASCO) said the clashes erupted after security prevented students from entering the campus to go to the student centre.
“Students were begging to enter the campus because it was cold and there were students who were left outside. We asked the security to open for us, but then they refused. We asked again, and then they refused.
“Students opened the gate, and were able to go to the student centre, but the ones that were seen on the video were the ones who were restricted from going there, which prompted the students into fighting with them (security).”
All they want is for the university to place the students that had applied in time, and qualified for accommodation.
“They should also stop threatening us on their Facebook page, because they’ve been threatening us, and telling us if we participate in those strikes then we are not going to get placed.”
Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg said a 20-year-old was arrested for public violence at the campus.
“Two police members sustained injuries and received medical treatment. The situation is being monitored.”
Cape Times