Protesting students at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology stoned vehicles of staff at the Bellville campus on Tuesday, demanding affordable kos and beds.

The students want cheap food to be sold at the campus cafeteria, more beds in residences and for students without residence to be placed.

They also demand that poor students be fed for free by CPUT.

Bellville SRC chairperson, Lutho Xakayi, said that the opening for late applications caused complications.

“The institution opened late applications, students from other provinces applied and were accepted. Now they have nowhere to stay because residences are full.”

He said students were peaceful but criminal elements hijacked the protest.

“We do not condone the stoning of vehicles. There are people with other motives who did that and must be arrested.”

But CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansely said the protesters demands were being dealt with.

ADDRESSED: Lauren Kansley

“A management committee meets with student leaders weekly, and more regularly if needed to avoid student concerns escalating to this point.

“It must be stated that CPUT has a surplus of residence beds so we don’t believe this reasoning to be a true reflection of what the real motivation behind the protests is about.”

A male student who wanted to remain anonymous said they are sleeping in SRC offices.

“Ever since I got admitted into the institution, I have been sleeping in offices with other students, then ask to shower from students with residences.

“Some are squatting and we are not safe in these SRC offices.”

Regarding the food complaints, Kansely says CPUT was currently remodelling the entire food service across campuses and students are being catered for with food trucks.

“The institution remains open and operational though.”

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