Since last week students at CPUT have been protesting over accommodation issue. Picture: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers.
The accommodation crisis at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) led to a clash between students and campus security on Sunday night, clashes that have since gone viral.
In the video students are seen fighting with campus security, and security responding by hitting the students with chairs and batons.
The university has been battling with placing all the students who had requested accomodation, saying it is a victim of its own success. CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley said it upped the bed count by 1,000 beds this year and can house 16,200 students in total.
“We received roughly 80,000 residence applications and over half a million applications for study, this shows the massive demand for a place to study at our university particularly. We are simply unable to house everyone.”
Kansley said that they are doing their utmost to assist where they can but that “CPUT is a victim of its own success as thousands of hopefuls flock to our gates each year”.
Since last week students have been protesting over the accommodation issue.
Speaking of the clash, 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.
A student from the South African Students Congress (SASCO), who did not wish to be named, said the clash 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).”
The student said that ultimately 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.
“They should stop lying to media houses saying that they’re helping us, while they know that they are just biding their time, and not doing that.”
Kansley said that some of the applicants are ineligible for residence because they are career students who have exceeded their years of study and no longer have NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) funding, those who are not progressing academically, those with disciplinary issues, (or) some who provided fake student numbers or lived within a 60km radius of campus.
“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.
“The safety of our staff and students is a priority and we are working closely with SAPS to identify perpetrators and remove them from our campuses,” Kansley said.
Late on Monday, reports emerged of stun grenades being fired at students, and public order policing firing water canons at students.
SAPS spokesperson Wesley Twigg said that a 20-year-old man was arrested for public violence at the campus.
"Public Order Police were forced to take action following a riotous situation at CPUT Cape Town earlier today.
"Two police members sustained injuries and received medical treatment. The situation is being monitored," Twigg said on Monday.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Cape Town Magistrates court.
theolin.tembo@inl.co.za
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