Students of the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, did not walk the stage for their Spring Graduation due to missing documents.

It has been alleged the said missing documents are matric results and identification documents, which are required to be submitted before any student is accepted in any higher education institution. The CUT has allegedly removed at least 300 students from the final Spring Graduation list. However, the students did appear on the preliminary graduation ceremony list. The reason for the removal is due to these missing documents.  

The Spring Graduation Ceremony took place on Friday 1 September, despite efforts of students who were removed from the list to act as human shields to block the entrance to the graduation’s venue. It is understood that students who weren’t removed from the list were already inside the hall, the people who weren’t able to enter the venue at the time were those who were responsible for officiating the ceremony.

The management of the university has apologised for the late start of the ceremony. According to the statement, an agreement had already been reached that the students who were removed from the list would graduate at a later time after their outstanding documents had been submitted. “A senate resolution had been reached with student leadership to conduct another graduation ceremony. Unfortunately, some students did not welcome the senate resolution.”

SAPS were called to join the private security forces. Photo supplied

The South African Students Congress (Sasco) at the CUT has labelled the institution’s administration at the Assessments and Graduation Unit to be a mess. They are of the view the administration of the institution has proven to be detrimental to the future of the students. “We urge management to properly apologise to students for their shortsightedness and the role played by the Assessment and Graduations Unit.”

Sasco has also accused the office of the Registrar of having committed injustice to deserving students. “To make matters worse, students were injured, insulted, and abused by Stallion [Security] and SAPS on Friday. Management showed no mercy nor remorse, instead more members of the SAPS were called to join the private security forces to continue intimidating and harassing students.”  

An inquiry was sent to the university to confirm if the missing documents indeed include matric results and identification documents.

OFM News/Tshehla Koteli