Cape Town – A wave of violent protests has engulfed the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) District Six campus in South Africa, as students demanding accommodation and increased security clashed with campus security and police over the past 36 hours. The unrest has resulted in injuries, arrests, damage to infrastructure, and accusations of heavy-handed tactics from both sides.
The initial incident occurred on Sunday night, just after 11pm, when students approached security guards in the parking area of the District Six campus, reportedly seeking shelter in the student centre due to the windy conditions. However, accounts of what transpired next differ sharply.
A student representative claimed that “It was windy and around 11pm students approached the security asking if they could sleep inside the student centre… When they were in the parking area, the security began hitting the students and that is when the incident happened. We were peaceful, we did not want trouble.” The student representative further stated that one student sustained head injuries and was hospitalised as a result of the altercation.
CPUT management, however, presented a contrasting narrative, stating that “A violent group of applicants who have been squatting at our District Six campus demanding access to residences, have clashed with CPUT Campus Protection Services overnight. Security was forced to intervene after the group set fire to infrastructure, stoned windows and attacked campus security.”
The Cape Argus shared a video of the Sunday night incident, showing security guards and students engaged in a physical struggle.
The situation escalated on Monday afternoon, with police deploying a water cannon against what they described as “riotous students”. Students alleged they were also tear gassed. Reports indicate that students set the administrative area of the university alight and stoned windows.
Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg confirmed that police were injured during the protest and one person was apprehended. “Public Order Police were forced to take action following a riotous situation at CPUT Cape Town earlier today (Monday). We can confirm that a 20-year-old male was arrested for public violence. Two police members sustained injuries and received medical treatment. The situation is being monitored. The suspect will appear in the Cape Town Magistrates court once he has been charged.”
CPUT said students involved in the Sunday incident were dronk and upon further investigation, they reported presenting fake student identification and were not eligible to receive accommodation for various reasons.
Following Sunday’s incident, CPUT spokesperson, Lauren Kansley said they were working on obtaining evidence and were in possession of video footage.
Kansley said the front door of the admin building at District Six was burnt along with windows that were stoned.
A student leader, who asked for their name to be withheld in fear of victimisation, said they had to flee from the police while attempting to speak with the Higher Education and Training (DHET) Ministry and had walked to Parliament.
“We wanted to speak with the Minister, we came from the parliament side and they were throwing tear gas at us,” she said. “When we arrived at the campus, they threw another one at us at the campus gate.”
A video of the students being shot with what appeared to be rubber bullets and tear gas was shared with Cape Argus.
On Monday evening, CPUT said that it is preparing to tally the financial impact and loss to infrastructure damaged after fires and the riots.
The chaos comes after the university’s Residence, Financial Aid secured accommodation for 410 people at their District Six campus and had placed students on buses to their respective residency. The number increased to 534 by on Monday.
