The Higher Education and Training Minister, Buti Manamela, has condemned an arson attack at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Bellville campus and asked his department to facilitate immediate talks between university management, the council and student leaders.
Campus closed, residences to be vacated
University management confirmed that fire services responded after the Old Education Building at the Bellville campus was set alight on Monday evening. While there were no reported injuries, the institution said the escalation of violent incidents posed a serious risk to life and safety.
In response to continued disruption, including torching of buildings and attacks on infrastructure, CPUT has:
- Closed all campuses until further notice and suspended all academic activities with immediate effect;
- ordered the evacuation of university residences, requiring students to leave within 24 hours — specifically by Wednesday, 19 August at 16:00;
- directed staff to work remotely, with only essential workers and selected support staff allowed on campus.
“The safety of staff and students is our primary concern at this stage,” university management said, adding that the evacuation was intended to protect the campus community during this trying period.
Minister seeks rapid engagement
Manamela has requested that a departmental team intervene and organise urgent engagements among the institution’s leadership, council and student representatives. The intervention follows growing tensions over proposed financial clearance rules and registration requirements for 2027, which have been cited as the backdrop to the unrest.
The Minister’s move signals national government concern and a desire to mediate a rapid de-escalation. The department’s team is expected to focus on immediate safety arrangements and open a platform for negotiations addressing the policy disputes that preceded the disruptions.
Immediate consequences and questions
The shutdown affects teaching, assessments and residence-based support services. Management said the decision to close was taken because of damage to institutional infrastructure and the increasing risk to people on campus.
Key unresolved points from the university statement include:
- How long campuses will remain closed and what criteria will guide reopening;
- The arrangements for remote teaching and assessment continuity for affected students;
- Support and accommodation alternatives for students who must vacate residences within the specified 24-hour window.
| Action | Detail |
|---|---|
| Campus status | All campuses closed until further notice |
| Academic activity | Suspended with immediate effect |
| Residences | Students to vacate within 24 hours — by 19 August, 16:00 |
| Staff | Work remotely; only essential/support staff on site |
The closure comes amid a broader wave of disruption at the university related to the contested administrative measures for student registration. Management cited repeated destructive acts against infrastructure as leaving them no option but to close campuses to protect lives and property.
What this means for learners and staff
For students, particularly those living in residences, the order to vacate on short notice will raise immediate concerns about safe alternatives and the continuity of learning, especially for those with limited access to devices or reliable internet at home. Staff may face challenges delivering curricula remotely and ensuring assessments meet regulatory and accreditation requirements.
Ministerial facilitation is intended to create space for negotiation; however, the speed of engagement and the practical arrangements for displaced students will be critical to preventing further harm and educational disruption.
As the situation develops, attention will focus on the findings of the departmental team, the university council’s response, and what mitigation measures — including temporary accommodation, assessment waivers or phased returns — might be implemented to safeguard learners and restore institutional functioning.
