University of Cape Town (UCT) students have continued to block off vehicle entry points onto the Upper Campus on Friday, 18 February.
The latest protest comes after students started blocking off entries on Monday following a statement issued by UCT’s Student Representative Council (SRC) where they criticised the university for a series of late registrations due to admin failures.
In an open letter to the Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, the UCT SRC indicated that the university did not fulfil its promise of ensuring that all students are registered by 14 February.
Watch it here:
We find ourselves in dangerous circumstances, as some drivers want to force entry. Please take note that campus is closed and access to campus is limited. pic.twitter.com/LH2pWaajyM
— UCT SRC (@UCT_SRC) February 18, 2022
mobilising students to join us ! #nostudentleftbehind @UCT_SRC pic.twitter.com/GJdLDPsIoG
— UCT_Res-Council (@UctRes_Council) February 17, 2022
However, Phakeng responded in a statement saying that she is deeply disappointed that SRC has chosen to interfere with access control and the UCT shuttle service, disrupting some aspects of the academic programme.
“It is regrettable that, because of these interruptions, a number of students were prevented from access to classes and other facilities.
“Over the past few days, we have been in continual communication with the SRC, providing them with updates on progress in completing the registration process for the new academic year,” Phakeng explained.
According to Phakeng, the university has explained that the delays in completing registration have been caused by a number of factors, including the unprecedented numbers of students seeking personal curriculum advice after the disruptions over the past two years, and the need for students to provide outstanding information that is required for their registrations to be completed.
Meanwhile, the university said that the shuttle service has been temporarily suspended and they will update students and staff as soon as the service is able to resume.
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Picture: @UCT_SRC/Twitter