Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has ordered an urgent departmental intervention at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) as the institution remains shut down following an arson attack at its Bellville campus.
Manamela has directed a team from the Department of Higher Education and Training’s University Education Branch to work with CPUT management, the university council and student leadership to find a way out of the escalating crisis.
The intervention comes after the university closed all its campuses and ordered students to vacate residences following the burning of the Old Education building at Bellville campus.
CPUT said the shutdown was necessary because of escalating violence and concerns over the safety of students and staff. Fire officials responded to the blaze, with reports indicating that no injuries were recorded in the fire.
The latest crisis follows days of student protests over financial and academic concerns, including proposed 2027 financial arrangements, historical student debt, registration requirements, residence fees and conditions, and academic records.
Manamela said the departmental team had been tasked with establishing the verified facts behind the competing grievances and identifying issues that could be resolved immediately.
It will also facilitate structured discussions between the university and students, help develop a time-bound plan for outstanding matters and support efforts to restore teaching, learning and essential university services.
“The immediate priority is to bring the parties around the table, establish the facts and find a way forward that allows the academic programme to resume,” Manamela said.
He condemned the destruction of university property, violence and intimidation, saying legitimate student grievances must be addressed through constructive engagement.
“We cannot allow an impasse to become a permanent disruption to the academic year. We need responsible leadership from all sides and a commitment to resolving these matters through dialogue rather than confrontation,” he said.
The financial dispute is at the centre of the confrontation.
BusinessTech reported that CPUT had withdrawn a draft financial plan aimed at addressing debt estimated at about R4.2 billion after student protests.
The university’s own documents indicate the scale of the financial pressure facing both students and the institution.
CPUT has previously acknowledged that more than 70% of its undergraduate students rely on NSFAS funding. It has also said delays in NSFAS payments, accommodation funding challenges and funding “exceptions” have contributed to growing student debt and placed additional pressure on the university.
CPUT’s 2026 registration rules provided for financial clearance for students with outstanding debt. However, students unable to pay upfront fees could register if they had made acceptable arrangements to settle their outstanding balances.
The university has also established a historical debt enquiry bursary process as part of efforts to assist students struggling with legacy debt.
The dispute has already caused significant disruption to the academic programme. Earlier this month, around 1,000 students marched through the Cape Town CBD as protests intensified across CPUT campuses and residences.
The unrest has also resulted in injuries and criminal cases. Media houses reported that a senior CPUT security official was hospitalised after being struck on the head with a brick during violent protests, while two people were criminally charged.
Manamela said the university’s decision to withdraw the draft financial plan presented an opportunity for both sides to reset their relationship.
“The focus must be on what can be resolved immediately, what requires further consideration, and what process will be followed to deal with the remaining matters,” he said.
The minister called on CPUT management, council and student leaders to cooperate with the departmental team and participate in the process in good faith.
He warned that public statements and actions that inflame tensions would not help resolve the dispute.
The immediate challenge is now to restore normal university operations while addressing the underlying financial and student welfare concerns.
CPUT has already opened applications for its 2027 academic intake, with several undergraduate application deadlines falling between the end of August and September.
Manamela said he would remain engaged with the university and other stakeholders as the intervention progresses, with the objective of establishing a credible roadmap for the restoration of teaching, learning and normal operations.
