Revealed: Guards cost Cape varsity R5-million for 37 days

Sophisticated intelligence-gathering vehicles and guards fitted with go-pro cameras were just some of the security measures employed by universities to quell violent campus protests — and it came at an eye-watering price.

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) last year signed a R5-million contract with a company to provide “riot security services” for 37 days – despite staff demanding their removal from campus. And this was still small change compared to what was spent on additional security the year before.

But after having student buses and campus buildings torched and cars stoned, CPUT insists it was necessary, and that the presence of the additional security on campus made a huge difference in bringing the chaos under control.

“It became clear that traditional security measures would not quell the violence,” CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley said.

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