CPUT lectures remain suspended until calm and campus safety are restored - EWN

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) lectures will remain suspended until calm and safety are restored on campus.

The university suspended its academic programme and ordered students to evacuate residences following protests that began last week.

This is despite the CPUT council withdrawing a proposed financial recovery plan, which was among the students’ grievances.

Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has since sent a departmental team to facilitate talks between student leaders and university management.

Those talks ended in an impasse this week, with student leaders demanding changes to the meeting structure.

They want at least two students from each of CPUT’s four campuses to be included as witnesses, in addition to the SRC, to ensure transparency.

CPUT Spokesperson Lauren Kansley said that the university hopes to break the deadlock soon.

“For now, the academic programme remains on hold until we are able to guarantee a safe and secure campus environment for all who want to learn," said Kansley.

Kansley added that plans to resume classes will be communicated in due course.