Cape Town - Corruption and the illegal subletting of residence rooms by students and staff at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) was exposed as one of the biggest problems facing the university.

CPUT acting vice-chancellor Dr Chris Nhlapo spoke at a parliamentary portfolio committee meeting last week, saying the residence system was riddled with corruption by staff and students allegedly “selling” rooms and gaining access to SRC funds.

Nhlapo said the issue had developed due to students’ collusion with landlords who tried to bypass the university’s strict protocols.

DA spokesperson for higher education and training Belinda Bozzoli, who attended the meeting, said the matter required urgent forensic investigation and called on the CPUT council and the Department of Higher Education and Training to stamp out corruption at residences.

“Corrupt practices in residences draw resources and attention away from the genuine grievances of students who often don’t have proper accommodation. Without a nationwide, multi-pronged approach, it will be hard to root this corruption out,” said Bozzoli.