Students Arrested Following Violence At University of the Free State Campus
The University of the Free State recently had an incident that the university’s management rejects as protest action. The university has decided to take action against those who have been identified for alleged wrongdoing.
Two University of the Free State (UFS) students have been arrested by the South African Police Service (SAPS) following an incident that the university’s management has not viewed as a protest action but rather as a criminal act.
It has been reported that the entrance gate to the institution had been blocked by a group of students who then stoned private security guards and assaulted staff and students on campus at the time.
The group group of students then vandalised and looted the university premises upon entry.
Besides the two students that were arrested, more were identified and the university said necessary disciplinary action will be taken, and immediate suspensions will be instituted.
University of the Free State’s Communication and Marketing Director, Lacea Loader issued a statement that confirmed:
The SAPS will institute criminal charges against those who have been identified.
The university has also ordered an urgent investigation into this incident.
The university strongly condemned the acts against those that were assaulted and the disruption of academic activities.
In the interim, the university confirmed that the academic programme on the Qwaqwa Campus will mostly continue online this week.
It has been reported that students will be informed by their faculties in relation to their revised schedules, including tests and assessments scheduled on the campus for this week.
Loader said the institution’s Protection Services is on high alert and is monitoring the situation on campus closely.
