Students wheeling suitcases and carrying tog bags have started making their way out of the residences of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s (CPUT) Bellville campus.

“I am tired of the trouble,” one student said. “I am sleeping at the home of a classmate until I catch my flight next Thursday.”

According to a communique sent to students by Vice Chancellor Dr Prins Nevhutalu on Monday, students have until 16:00 on Wednesday to move out if immediate plans could not be arranged.

“For the past few weeks CPUT has been held hostage by a group of students who are determined to make the university ungovernable. The academic activities have been disrupted and the destruction of university property has continued unabated,” he said.

A heavy police presence is on site as the students make their way out. There is currently no protest action on campus.
“But if they start putting us out, there will be trouble,” a student said.

“No one will be kicked out here today. We have done nothing wrong.”

Another student told News24 that those without alternative accommodation will be staying in the residences because protest leaders told them “not to worry”.

“They promised us they wouldn’t let them kick us out. Some of us come from as far as Limpopo and Botswana. How do they expect us to get home on such short notice?” News24