Violent protests at CPUT leave security official in ICU after university withdraws controversial financial plan

Damages to the campus

Violent student protests erupted at various Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) campuses which left at least one person hospitalised and two people criminally charged.

The unrest comes after days of student mobilisation over a range of financial grievances. Students have raised concerns about historical student debt, financial exclusion and residence costs, while the SRC has called for residence fees that exceed the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) accommodation cap to be reduced.

The student-led shutdown centered around financial pressures facing students and proposed changes contained in CPUT's Draft Financial Recovery Plan (FRP) for 2027.

CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley confirmed that the senior security official remained in ICU after sustaining a head injury during the protest action.