District Six community representatives have asked Cape Peninsula University of Technology management for an urgent meeting about safety after recent campus protests affected the surrounding Cape Town neighbourhood.
Residents told eNCA that unrest at CPUT’s District Six campus had moved beyond the university grounds, raising concerns about security and future disruption.
The District Six Civic Association and District Six Working Committee want a formal plan for communication and coordination between the university and the community when incidents occur.
They are seeking feedback from CPUT when classes resume on Monday.
Community asks for direct engagement
District Six Advocacy Committee chairperson Tania Kleinhans said the university’s use of the District Six name carried a responsibility to engage with the community and understand the area’s history.
More than 60,000 people were forcibly removed from District Six under apartheid. Community organisations remain involved in heritage, restitution and development matters in the area.
Working Committee secretary Shanaaz Arnold said not all students had taken part in the unrest. She said some students had been trying to leave or find safety and should not be treated as part of the group involved in the disturbance.
The residents’ organisations said they wanted to work with campus management to prevent a repeat and improve the flow of information during emergencies.
No agreement had been announced by Sunday afternoon. CPUT’s response to the meeting request was not included in the report.
