15 June 2023 | Story Amanda Tongha | Photo Supplied
Criminology
Setting their sights on tackling real-life issues. The founding members of the UFS Criminology Student Association.
A new organisation has been launched on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS), which is led by students and is aimed at bringing the world of criminology to life. With their sights set on tackling real-life issues facing society, Criminology students in the Faculty of The Humanities have formed the Criminology Student Association (CSA), aimed at exposing students to the practical side of the field. 

Through the association, members will have the opportunity to connect to and learn from professionals in the field, gaining practical experience in the field of criminology. 

Announcing its arrival as a new UFS student organisation, the CSA held a panel discussion on 26 May 2023, looking at and assessing the process followed by UFS Protection Services and those in the formal criminal justice system. 

Focusing on the topic ‘Sexual violence on campus: the transition from the on-campus process to the formal criminal justice system,’ experts in law enforcement engaged with staff and students in the Equitas Auditorium. 
 
Experts such as Captain Bez Bezuidenhout from the Free State Provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation Unit, Advocate Michelle Nel from the Sexual Offences Unit at the Thuthuzela Care Centre, Jacobus van Jaarsveld, Deputy Director: Threat Detection, Investigations, Compliance and Liaison at UFS Protection Services, and Dr Ntheno Nchabeleng, Deputy Director of the UFS Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination Office, gave grim updates and information on the prevalence of GBV and other violent crimes in South Africa. 

David Ncube, the first president of the CSA, called insights like these an opportunity to link theory and practice and to understand their roles as criminology students. “We recognised the significance of exposing criminology students to the practical aspects of the field, complementing their academic learning.” 

Also present at the launch was Prof Chitja Twala, Vice-Dean in the Faculty of The Humanities. He gave his nod of approval to an association “driven by students themselves, coming up with solutions”.

For more information on the newly formed Criminology Student Association, contact Kelebogile Boleu, Junior Lecturer in the Department of Criminology.


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