CPUT exams continue despite first-day fire

22 November 2016

Cape Town - Examinations at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) are continuing, despite an arson attack that marred the first day, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.

A fire broke out in the multi-purpose hall at the Cape Town campus shortly after midnight on Monday, resulting in limited damage. Business and management sciences exams were moved to other campus buildings.

CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley said assessments on all campuses were continuing without incident.

“We have noted above-average attendance for these assessments and believe that this is evidence that the majority of student leaders and students want these exams to take place,” she said.

Last week, exams were postponed by a week as mediation between the institution's management and protesting students continued.

At the time, university management, Fees Must Fall activists, the SRC, and unions said in a joint statement that they all agreed to try and ensure that no disruptions took place at campus examination venues.

Private security was withdrawn from the institution last Tuesday.

Last Sunday, CPUT was granted an urgent interdict by the Western Cape High Court restraining protesting students from obstructing campus activity, including those relating to exams.

The institution gave up on face-to-face classes for the rest of the year in October, saying it had “reached the point of no return to save the 2016 academic year”.

Protests at CPUT included daily marches, faeces-flinging, and setting alight of cars and buildings.

At least 20 CPUT students had been arrested since the start of the campus unrest.

Kansley said mediation between the institution and students would continue.

This article first appeared on News24, see here.