Parliament, Thursday, 13 August 2026 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, Mr Tebogo Letsie, has condemned the violence accompanying the protests over the cost of residence accommodation and student registrations fees that are taking place at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).
Mr Letsie said that the committee understands students frustrations and the possible misunderstanding surrounding the nature of the provision and cost associated with student accommodation throughout the country.
“While we understand the frustration and desperation by students, violence and damage to property have no place at our campuses. This translates to lawlessness,” he said. “We condemn the violence that took place last night at various campuses of CPUT with the strongest contempt it deserves.”
According to media reports, students from various campuses of CPUT gathered yesterday for a mass meeting arising out of a dispute with CPUT about student demands for residence fees to be reduced. Students reportedly complained that accommodation fees exceeded than the cap allowed by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Students also alleged, among other things, that CPUT management was intending to raise student registration fees to R7 000.
“We appeal to NSFAS together with the Department of Higher Education and Training to prioritise and address this issue speedily so that there can be a return to normality,” said Mr Letsie.
Mr Letsie said the committee is fully aware and understands that student accommodation has always been a thorny issue in the post-school education system. However, the recurring issue is now the run-away costs of student accommodation.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING, MR TEBOGO LETSIE.
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