In a Special Sitting of the Council of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology yesterday evening, a decision was taken to withdraw the Draft Financial Recovery Plan (FRP) for 2027 so that further consultation can take place.

Days of protests

The sitting followed days of protests by CPUT students across several campuses. The students are protesting against the Draft Financial Recovery Plan, particularly the proposed upfront payment of R7 000, which they fear could hinder access to education for many.

Lauren Kansley, CPUT spokesperson, says Council is the highest decision-making body of the institution and the discussion around a minimum initial payment took place at the behest of Council so that more robust financial planning can occur. “It was also stated that since the withdrawal has taken place we expect that all protest action should stop immediately. The protest action has not seen any major infrastructure damage; however, we do need to attend to flooded buildings and broken gates. This can only happen when calm returns to campus,” says Kansley.

Online classes

According to Kansley, the institution is continuing with online classes and CPUT management will make a decision on when in-person classes resume. “We are first assessing the damage and once a safety assessment deems it appropriate we will resume in-person lectures,” she says.

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