23/05/2023
SRC & STRUCTURES JOINT STATEMENT FOR URGENT RELEASE
Dear CPUT Community
Receive our humble revolutionary greetings.
Pursuant to the recent mass demonstrations across the various campuses of the University, wherein, an institutional memorandum of demands was handed over to Prof. Mayende, acting on behalf of EM, on 5 May 2023. As the SRC and political structures, we have embarked on a process of engagement with the Executive Management on the matters contained in the institutional memorandum. The negotiations, which are now at culmination stage, commenced on 15 May 2023 and have been ongoing ever since.
Amid the commencement of the negotiations, however, and to our disappointment, a Newsflash was published by Executive Management mandating the immediate evacuation of all CPUT residences by 16h00 on 12 May 2023. From the onset, as the SRC and structures, we made our position crystal clear on the so-called “evacuation” process, which was in fact an eviction notice and was put to effect through intimidation by private security (Pro Events & Red Ants) and the internal unit of big bellies. The decision, which as posited in newsflash, was a decision of Executive Management, is one we view as grossly impulsive, ill-advised and highly illogical. The EM, without consulting anyone nor the University Council, took a decision out of emotion and spent exorbitant amounts money to transport thousands of students to their respective provinces. What we have found to be more concerning and grossly disappointing, is the fact that the Executive Management of CPUT is unable to respond to what informed their decision to evacuate residences and neither do they have a plan in place to bring students back from their respective provinces.
The aforementioned has in turn affected the question of continuation of the academic program, which has been affected by management’s emotional decision of sending students home. We have noted, with discontent and disgust, the circulating news and screenshots purported to be information regarding the commencement of the academic program and the arrangements of the academic calendar. As student leadership, we wish to make it categorically clear that we have not reached an agreement as yet on the continuation of the academic program due to various valid conditions which we have brought to the attention of the EM, which are outlined below:
• Management should bring back students in the same way that they transported them home.
• All registered students affected by this illogical evacuation, both those who remained at res and those dispatched to their respective provinces, must be provided with monies to buy groceries, cover traveling allowances (for those who had already made traveling arrangements for recess).
• The above must be applicable to both NSFAS beneficiaries, other bursaries and most importantly those are not funded by any financial aid scheme.
• No student should be expected to use their NSFAS allowances to return back to campus, and subsequently to that, non-NSFAS beneficiaries should not be expected to miraculously have money to travel back when they did not plan to travel home in the first place.
Once again, we wish to reiterate and urge all students of the University not to be misled by any of the propagated statements circulating on social media as well through unprofessional lecturers and HODs who are purveying unconfirmed information which is not a resolution of the negotiations. A full detailed report in terms of the memorandum of demands will be communicated in due time as soon as the ongoing engagements are concluded.
Yours In Students Leadership
CSRC, LSRC & Political Structure
