We have noted with dismay the SABC interview of Mr MosesNtonyane, a former Student Representative Council (SRC) President in which he publicly blamed management without presenting evidence of his allegations. For some time, the university unduly endured negative coverage as a result of his disinformation which is a malicious attempt to discredit the university in the media.

During this time, we were prejudiced in our pursuit to attract third stream income intended to improve the delivery of quality education to our students, with some partners having already expressed deep concern over the situation at CUT.

His allegations are misleading and contain a number of blatant inaccuracies, which are clearly intended to put the good name of CUT in a bad light.   For instance, Mr Ntonyane states that CUT management requires all students who are not funded by NSFAS to pay a minimum of R8 200 to be registered in 2021. This statement is false, as the university is using NSFAS Guidelines to communicate to students that the tuition deposit of R 8 170 refers to all self-funded students with a household income exceeding R600 000 per annum.  The university is committed to support these students to register and will assist them in covering the portion of the fee increase, which effectively means a 0% fee increase for these students.  

It is, therefore, our intention to provide a clear context to these allegations and mitigate the negative effects they may have on the university community and our partners. It is important to note that Mr Ntonyane is not the current SRC President, and thus his views do not represent the interest of CUT students.

It is not true that the university management is unwilling to engage with student leaders and dismisses all these allegations with the contempt it deserves.   

The COVID-19 pandemic, and associated lockdowns, made it very difficult for the university to conduct SRC elections. In view of the extended term of office of SRC that has now come to an end in February 2021, the university initiated a process of finding common grounds with student leaders and proposed that they serve for the next two months, after which elections will be held to usher in new leaders.    

Instead, student leaders attempted to hold the management hostage by demanding 50% subsidies of their residence and tuition fees be converted into cash allowances from the time they serve from September 2019 to February 2021. 

In accordance with the CUT policy, the SRC are supported financially for the services they render to their constituency, and it is a general practice in the sector. In the event that an SRC member is also supported financially by NSFAS the said SRC benefit cannot be converted into a cash benefit. What they are proposing is tantamount to corrupt practice - an impression that cannot be attached to a well-run university. Therefore, management will not accede to these demands.

In conclusion, CUT’s Management is in the process of appointing an interim SRC. The process has started and is set to be concluded this week (Thursday, 11 March 2021 - Friday, 12 March 2021).  Therefore, academic activities and other operations were suspended at the Bloemfontein Campus from Wednesday, 10 March 2021 until Friday, 12 March 2021 to allow this process to unfold. Employees are working remotely while students carry on their registration processes online.

On behalf of the university, management wishes to express its regret for the inconveniences this may have caused students and staff. 

Issued by Communications and Marketing

Download the communique, 11 March 2021 (PDF)