CPUT Council has agreed to withdraw the proposed 2027 Financial Recovery Plan for further consultation, but student leaders say several demands remain unresolved.
Tensions at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) remain high as the university’s Council and student leadership respond to ongoing protest action across its campuses.
The latest developments follow the submission of a memorandum of student demands to the Vice-Chancellor at the Bellville Campus on Tuesday, 11 August.
The memorandum, signed by representatives of the Central Student Representative Council (CSRC), outlines four key demands.
What are students demanding?
According to the memorandum, students are calling for:
The immediate withdrawal of the proposed 2027 Financial Recovery Plan (FRP).
The immediate release of academic transcripts and qualification certificates for students affected by the NSFAS accommodation cap.
The removal of the officials identified in the memorandum as “Daca, VC and Marius”.
The resolution of the dental assistance issue affecting students.
The demands come amid growing frustration over financial and administrative issues affecting students.
Council responds to the Financial Recovery Plan
In a newsflash released by CPUT, Council Chairperson Dr L Platzky confirmed that Council had reconsidered the proposed 2027 Financial Recovery Plan.
“Council resolved that the Draft Financial Recovery Plan (FRP) for 2027 be withdrawn for further explanation, clarification and thorough consultation with appropriate stakeholders.”
The decision addresses the first and most prominent demand in the student memorandum.
However, the CSRC says the Council’s response does not address all of the issues raised by students.
Student leaders say demands remain unresolved
In a statement issued at approximately 10:10am on Thursday, 13 August, the CSRC said students could not be expected to end their protest action simply because Council had responded to one of the demands.
The student leadership maintains that meaningful discussions must take place on the outstanding issues before students can be expected to abandon their action.
“Students cannot be expected to abandon matters that remain unresolved before meaningful discussions have taken place,” the CSRC said.
Dispute over protests and property damage
The situation has also been marked by disruption to university activities, including mass demonstrations and the mobilisation of students from residences.
CPUT has reported damage to property at its District Six campus during the overnight unrest.
The CSRC, however, has challenged the narrative surrounding the disruption and alleged that vandalism is being instigated by “tenderpreneurs”.
The student leadership has also alleged that harmless and unarmed students have been provoked by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
These claims have not been independently verified.
What happens next?
While Council’s decision to withdraw the Draft FRP for further consultation represents movement on one of the students’ demands, the CSRC says the broader list of grievances remains unresolved.
The key issues now include the release of affected academic records, the concerns raised about university officials, and the demand for a resolution to the dental assistance issue.
With both sides maintaining their respective positions, further engagement between CPUT management, Council and student representatives is expected.
The situation remains developing, with the possibility of further protests, negotiations and official responses.
