CPUT denies reports that guard died after being locked in burning building

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) on Wednesday moved quickly to dismiss reports that a security guard had died after being locked in a burning building at its Bellville campus.

CPUT ?@CPUT tweeted: “2 security guards based at BV were rushed to hospital this morning. 1 is in critical condition. Reports that guard has died‚ are incorrect”.

This after the university’s international relations department had tweeted: “Intern’l Affairs ?@cputoia: “Condolences to the fam of fallen #CPUT security officer who passed as result of injuries sustained in last nights arson attack #CPUTShutdown”.

The university’s spokesperson‚ Lauren Kansley‚ had earlier said: “Charges of attempted murder were laid after protesters locked two security guards inside a burning building. The guards suffered mostly smoke inhalation injuries and are now stable.”

Theo Lane‚ media liaison for Cape Town’s fire and rescue services‚ put the number inside the building at three: “A section of the building was alight when we arrived. We subsequently found three adult males who had sustained lacerations and smoke inhalation”.

He added that they “were treated on the scene…and were taken to hospital”.

Firefighters also extinguished a blaze at the university’s Cape Town campus.

Kansley said: “The latest attacks follow an afternoon [on Tuesday] of running battles with SAPS and security where at least 19 arrest s were made across our Bellville‚ Cape Town and Mowbray campuses.”

She said classes remain suspended due to the violence and “alternative forms of tuition and assessment are being explored”. These include securing off-site venues.

– TMG Digital