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08 February 2019
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Story Lacea Loader
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The University of the Free State (UFS) offers its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased student who was killed at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) during a protest action on the Steve Biko Campus on 5 February 2019.
The UFS condemns the use of firearms and undue force against protesting students.
The university’s executive management supports the plight of students at institutions of higher education around the country, encouraging the use of engagement and dialogue to resolve issues between students and university leadership at all times. We hope that these issues can be resolved amicably and to the benefit of all higher education institutions, as well as to the benefit of the country.
Released by:Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Marketing)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email:
news@ufs.ac.za |
loaderl@ufs.ac.zaFax: +27 51 444 6393
Investigations into incidents on the Bloemfontein Campus: 22-26 February 2016
2016-03-16
Investigations underway into incidents relating to the Varsity Cup rugby match at Xerox Shimla Park and all other criminal acts occurring during protest action
The senior leadership of the University of the Free State (UFS) commissioned a number of investigations into incidents relating to the Varsity Cup rugby match at Xerox Shimla Park on 22 February 2016, as well as into acts of criminal conduct occurring throughout the protest action in the week of 22 to 26 February 2016.
These investigations include:
1. An independent commission led by senior officials in the judiciary. The enquiry will establish the events before and leading up to the match, the tragedy on the field itself, and events immediately afterwards as the crisis spread around the campus, including the incident at Vishuis Men’s Residence the same night.
2. An inquiry about disciplinary and criminal responsibility. This includes the responsibility of students, staff where applicable, and outsiders on campus before, during and after the match, and during the protest action in the week of 22 to 26 February 2016. This will enable the university to take action for disciplinary purposes and to enable the laying of charges with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in criminal cases.
3. Led by the core team of 2006 auditors who did the first study on the transformation of the UFS, an empirical account will be provided on how far, or not, the university has come since the first comprehensive study on the subject. This report in part addresses the charge from some students or student leaders that nothing has changed or that transformation has not happened at the UFS.
The UFS Council endorsed and gave its full support to the investigations during its quarterly meeting on 11 March 2016.