CPUT’s Bellville resembled a warzone again yesterday as protesting students clashed with private security guards before torching five cars at the campus.
Although CPUT suspended all classes, violent #FeesMustFall protests continued yesterday.
The Daily Voice also understands the institution's Vice Chancellor, Prins Nevhutalo has been placed on leave until further notice.
The removal of the Vice Chancellor was among a list of 24 demands from protesting students.
CPUT Council chairperson, Mbulelo Bikwani, would not deny or confirm Nevhutalo’s removal.
He told the Daily Voice he could not discuss the matter until Wednesday when he has had time to decide on how to deal with media queries about it.
Yesterday’s violence at CPUT came as students tried to remove private security guards from the grounds.
When the Daily Voice arrived, police officers were removing rubble placed at the gates to block cops from entering the campus.
Minutes before, students hurled rocks at security guards, who retaliated by firing rubber bullets.
Hundreds of students then chased officers around campus before cornering them at the transport depot.
Within minutes, numerous cars were set alight by protesters who also broke the vehicles’ window.
Another car was flipped over with the female driver still inside.
A police source says they managed to get the car back on its wheels and the scared woman drove of.
A police water cannon was used to extinguish the burning cars as firefighters were barred from entering.
Riot police used stun grenades to disperse the crowds.
Police spokesperson, Brigadier Sally de Beer, says: “Circumstances surrounding a public violence case are being investigated after five vehicles were set alight at the CPUT campus in Bellville South [yesterday].”
De Beer says no one had been arrested as yet.
CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley says of the five vehicles, only one belonged to the university.
“SAPS was on scene to contain the situation and thankfully university activities have been suspended for the most part so most staff and students were not on campus,” she adds.
The institution has been a ghost town for over two weeks after operations were moved to the Wingfield military base due to ongoing protests