Cape Town — Nearly 400 students at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) are fearing the worst as they face being homeless due to accommodation problems.
The students are funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and, according to eNCA, they received eviction threats from the landlord at the Gold Buffalo student residence.
The students claimed CPUT owes them money but the institution has distanced itself from the matter, saying contractual agreements are between the landlord and students. Meanwhile, NSFAS says it hasn’t started paying for accommodation.
“We are all innocent students there, meaning none of us have money to get another accommodation and now if we leave this one that we applied for, we can’t get another one that NSFAS can pay.,” one student said.
The students are currently residing in private accommodation in Cape Town’s CBD while they await their NSFAS approval.
“Currently, NSFAS has no direct contractual arrangements with the private student accommodation establishments. The current situation is that NSFAS will pay the University for tuition and accommodation for the NSFAS beneficiary. But if the students resides in a private place, then the University is expected to pay,” NSFAS spokesperson Slumezi Skosana said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
