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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

We must rise again, says Dr Luescher
2016-05-04

Description: 2016 05 04 Dr Luescher sml Tags: 2016 05 04 Dr Luescher
Dr Thierry Luescher, Assistant Director of University of the Free State Directorate for Institutional Research and Academic Planning, was one of the guest speakers at the first TEDxUFS event of the year on the Bloemfontein Campus. Here he is explaining where the #movements started, and how to change the way we think. Photo: Marli du Plessis.

The student protests, known as the #MustFall movements, started on 9 March 2015, when students protested in a well-rehearsed manner at the Cecil John Rhodesstatue at the University of Cape Town. After this protest, students all over South Africa started their own movements from #OpenStellies to #SwartsMustFall, the latter happening on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) in March 2016. But, as Dr Thierry Luescher, Assistant Director of UFS Directorate for Institutional Research and Academic Planning, says: “We shall soon run out of #MustFalls. Maybe it is time that we rise again.”

The first TEDxUFS was held on Friday 15 April 2016 at the New Education Building on the Bloemfontein Campus of the UFS. Dr Luescher shone light on the way we look at hashtag movements. At the conference, he was one of the guest speakers who shared their perspectives on the theme of #ImpossibleIsNothing. The others were Ndumiso Hadebe, and Fezile Sonkwane.

Changing angles

No matter what the issue, whether it is on a campus or not, the same reaction can be expected by all: they burn things to get attention. In retrospect, this is our political culture. This is what we have been told to do if we need answers. There is a much faster and cheaper way to attract people’s attention: the hashtag movements, says Dr Luescher.

Stop the fire

He argues that we should stop burning down buildings and vandalising properties. What we need is people with intellect to use their words. We, as students, have to take back our voice. We need to stop this self-pitying, and take a stand.

Students have the power to change lives. We would be able to reach as many as 1.4 million people with our tweets or instagram accounts. According to Dr Luescher, the time for violence has come to an end.

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