Recently, reports surfaced claiming that Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) has left more than 350 students stranded outside its District Six Campus in Cape Town. The affected students, seen with luggage and blankets, were reportedly locked out of the campus on a Friday, sparking significant concern.
These students have voiced their grievances, stating that since early January, they have received little to no communication from the university’s management regarding accommodation. Despite residing temporarily in student halls, their future housing arrangements remain uncertain. Some students even reported being removed by security staff after raising concerns about the slow progress in housing allocations.
Lauren Kansley, a spokesperson for CPUT, refuted these claims, asserting that efforts are ongoing to address the issue. Kansley noted that many students have attempted to bypass the standard processes for enrollment and housing placements. “We are doing our utmost to assist,” Kansley said. “This week, hundreds of students have had their status updated from pending to accepted, thanks to our dedicated staff who have been actively reaching out to students to confirm residency availability.”
However, the institution’s Student Representative Committee (SRC) expressed dissatisfaction with the recurring accommodation crisis at CPUT. According to Lihle Mgxushuwa, the SRC spokesperson, the university has struggled to allocate housing to eligible students over the past three weeks, leaving many registered students without accommodation.
Mgxushuwa highlighted that some students, especially those who have been on campus the longest, will be temporarily housed in Salt River. However, uncertainty remains for those without funding.
CPUT acknowledged this additional challenge, pointing out that numerous students arrive at the campuses without confirmed accommodation or enrollment, further complicating the situation.
