R4.2 billion shutdown hits major university in South Africa

• The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) has withdrawn a draft financial plan to recover R4.2 billion in debt, after student protests shut down its campuses.
• Student protests were sparked by a proposed financial recovery plan that included a mandatory registration fee of R7,000 and a portion of outstanding arrears, which students claimed would unfairly burden them with additional expenses.
• The withdrawal of the plan aims to restore calm at the institution, but the incident highlights ongoing concerns about student debt and financial accessibility in South African universities.