Classes at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) were set to resume this week, following their suspension because of rioting.
CPUT stopped classes after cars were stoned at the Bellville campus on Monday October 9 and protests rocked various campuses as the case of four suspended student protest leaders was to be heard on Tuesday October 10.
An independent external chairperson found the four guilty of disrupting an executive committee council meeting in August, verbally abusing members and threatening violence at the university’s Bellville campus. The sanction was expulsion, suspended for a year.
CPUT spokeswoman Lauren Kansley said a decision was taken to resume classes on Wednesday October 18.
She said the safety concerns of parents, staff and students had not fallen on deaf ears, and management continued to engage with all stakeholders to end the disruptions and violence.
“We are doing everything possible to secure the safety of students and staff, as well as their property and university infrastructure. This extends to stabilising all residences. We remain confident that the academic year will be completed successfully and for that reason ask all students living in residences not to go home prematurely,” she said.
Students expressed their unhappiness on the university’s Facebook page about the continued class disruptions.
Bernie Geldenhuys wrote: “This is not acceptable. Why does CPUT not put measures in place to ensure that classes continue? We pay for accommodation and class fees, but our children do not get value for money. CPUT is becoming a sub standard institution. We need answers from management.”
Ivana Darries said: “How about you guys pay me my fees back and I go to Unisa, as I paid to have class and haven’t had that since March for one of my subjects.
“Emailed assignments and notes is not what I signed up for at CPUT, my goodness.”
Ms Kansley said the university was still on track to complete the academic year but admitted that the protests had caused delays.
“Since 2015 we have made up the lost class time by switching to online assessments or a range of other innovative ways of completing the curriculum. This year will be no different.”
She said the university would continue to engage with student structures.