After student protesters disrupted lectures on Friday, the University of Cape Town (UCT) says classes will resume this week.
Last week, UCT announced its decision not to remove fee blocks for students with outstanding debts.
Also read: Update: Videos of UCT student protest reignited after fee block removal decision
According to News24, UCT spokesperson Elijah Moholola stated that students disrupted only a few classes and that a damage assessment would be conducted in the coming weeks.
Last Friday, protesters disrupted lectures at a number of locations, including the Upper Campus’s New Lecture Theatre and the Middle Campus’s Kramer Building. Officers from the Public Order Policing Unit intervened in response to a court injunction granted to the university.
According to Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk, protesting students attempted to enter Kramer law lecture rooms before being stopped by police.
“The students started pelting the police with metal drum lids, stones and other objects. Police took action to disperse the protesting students,” Van Wyk said.
He said two students were arrested and detained at the Rondebosch police station on charges of contravening a court order and public violence. Both appeared in the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court late on Friday, and bail was denied. Their next court appearance will be on Monday, said Van Wyk.
While police said they would remain in the area to monitor the situation, UCT said that it had not increased its security for today.
Moholola said that the police presence on campus is both in line with the council-approved guidelines for requests for intervention in the case of demonstrations, protests and occupations and is a response to any illegal acts as per the interim interdict granted on February 17, 2023.
The Student Representative Council (SRC) issued a statement in which it stated that it was “shocked” by the decision to keep fee blocks in place.
“It is enraging that the university management and council have no care for poor and black students who are unable to afford the exorbitant costs that are our tuition and accommodation fees,” the statement read.
UCT, on the other hand, said that its executive would keep working with the SRC and student representatives to look into different ways to help students with fee blocks.
Also read:
UCT acting VC issues letter in response to escalated student protests
Picture: University of Cape Town / Facebook
