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14 August 2020 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Unsplash
Reporting cases makes it easier to link certain suspects to crimes that were committed.

The diligent reporting of crime paid off when a number of suspects were arrested. 

Cobus van Jaarsveld, Assistant Director: Threat Detection, Investigations and Liaison in the UFS Department of Protection Services, says on 12 August 2020, Nissi Armed Response, in co-operation with SecuriForce, ADT, and the SAPS, made two arrests of suspects believed to be involved in some of the crimes committed in the Universitas area.  Following these arrests, another suspect who could possibly be linked to further crimes in the Universitas area, was also arrested during the morning of 13 August 2020.

Reporting cases

Reporting cases makes it easier to link certain suspects to crimes that were committed.

It is important that students and staff report all incidents of crime, both off and on campus. On-campus incidents must immediately be reported to Protection Services. Van Jaarsveld says all off-campus incidents can be reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS). 

“We at Protection Services would like to extend our appreciation to students who are willing to report cases to the SAPS,” says Van Jaarsveld. 

He also encourages students to continue to supply information on suspicious activities to Protection Services and the contracted armed response companies, as well as the SAPS, to ensure a safe environment for all.

Important contact details

Keep the following numbers close in case you need to report an incident or when you need help:

Bloemfontein Campus (in the Brandwag, Universitas, and Park West suburbs):
UFS Protection Services Operational Centre – +27 51 401 2634 / +27 51 401 2911 / +27 0 80 020 4682
Nissi Armed Response Control Room – +27 51 444 0550 / +27 73 790 1837
Park Road SAPS – +27 51 507 6036 / +27 51 507 6027

Qwaqwa Campus (in the area surrounding the campus):
UFS Protection Services Operational Centre – +277 58 718 5460 / +27 58 718 5175
Falcon Security Solutions Control Room – +27 58 713 0240 / +27 66 439 6491
Phuthaditjhaba SAPS – +27 58 718 0894 / 5 / 6

South Campus (in the area surrounding the campus):
UFS Protection Services Operational Centre – +27 51 505 1217 / +27 51 505 1478
Nissi Armed Response Control Room – +27 51 444 0550 / +27 73 790 1837
Kagisanong SAPS – +27 51 409 5608 / 7

News Archive

UFS first to mechanise agricultural technique
2006-05-09

    

Small farmers from Thaba `Nchu were the biggest group attending the farmers day at the UFS Paradys experimental farm.  From the left are Mr David Motlhale (a small farmer from Thaba 'Nchu), Prof Leon van Rensburg (lecturer at the UFS Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences and project leader), Mr Nhlonipho Nhlabatsi (Agricultural Research Council, Glen), Ms Meisie Mthethwa (small farmer from Bloemspruit).  In front is Mr Patrick Molatodi (chairperson of the Tswelopele Small Farmer Association).
 

 

Some of the participants of the farmers day at the UFS Paradys experimental farm were from the left Prof Leon van Rensburg (lecturer at the UFS Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences and project leader, Mr Patrick Molatodi (chairperson of the Tswelopele Small Farmers Association) and Prof Herman van Schalkwyk (Dean: UFS Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences).

UFS first tertiary institution in world to mechanise agricultural technique
The University of the Free State (UFS) is the first tertiary institution in the world to mechanise the in-field rain water harvesting technique on a commercial scale.

The technique was recently demonstrated to about 100 small farmers at the UFS Paradys experimental farm outside Bloemfontein. 

“With this technique rain water is channeled to the plant and in this way food security is increased.  The advantage of the technique for commercial farmers lies in the reduced cultivation of land.  Small farmers will benefit from this because they can now move out into the fields and away from farming in their back yards,” says Prof Leon van Rensburg, lecturer at the UFS Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences and project leader.    

Rain water harvesting is an antique concept that was used by communities before the birth of Christ.  In South Africa the technique is mainly used in the plots of small farmers where they make surface structures by hand. 

"The technique is also used for the first time by the UFS on commercial scale by means of the cultivation of a summer crop on 100 ha at the Paradys experimental farm,” says Prof Leon van Rensburg,

Of the farmers who attended the farmers day most represented about 42 rural communities in the vicinity of Thaba ‘Nchu.  A group of seven from KwaZulu-Natal also attended the proceedings.  These small farmers can for example apply this technique successfully on the 250-300 ha communal land that is available in the Thaba ‘Nchu area. 

The project is funded by the UFS and the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the farmers’ day was funded by the Water Research Commission.   

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:   (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
9 May 2006

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