Four of the students were arrested for public violence on Thursday for blocking the main entrance of the university with burning tyres.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane says the women were demonstrating their dissatisfaction with the management of the institution.

He says Public Order Police (POPS) warned the students to disperse and when they refused, the Operational Commander used a stun grenade to disperse the crowd and make arrests.

They will face charges of public violence, contravention of the Road Traffic Act and the Criminal Matters Amendment Act.

Lieutenant Colonel Covane says the fifth suspect was arrested on the same campus earlier in the day for breaking into the university and allegedly setting fire to the storeroom.

Also read: Suspect arrested for alleged act of arson at CUT

He says according to a security guard who alerted police, the 21-year-old student was with a male accomplice who managed to run away.

She will appear in the same court on Friday to face charges of burglary at business premises and arson.

CUT's management says it has a court order in place, and the police are on campus to ensure that the academic year is not affected by incidents of violent protests.

They obtained the court order in February when one of their staff members was violently attacked by a group of students.

The ongoing protest is believed to be about funding issues.

CUT says they have about 22 000 students and most of those who qualify for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme of South Africa (NSFAS) have received their allowances. 

Management has been working tirelessly to ensure that those who qualify for funding receive the necessary assistance.

AlgoaFM