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05 April 2022 | Story Lacea Loader
Qwaqwa Campus

The preliminary finding of the urgent investigation into the fire on the Qwaqwa Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) on the evening of Monday 4 April 2022, indicates that the two buildings were intentionally set alight. This was established by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the university’s Protection Services this morning.

Since the outbreak of the fire, one person – who is a registered student – has been arrested by SAPS, and a process is underway to identify more suspects. The UFS will institute the necessary disciplinary action against suspects who are registered students. Similarly, criminal charges will also be instituted.

The buildings, which housed the clinic and a computer laboratory, were almost completely destroyed, with damage to both buildings estimated at R35 million.

The university management condemns the destructive behaviour of the students and condemns criminal behaviour such as this in the strongest terms. “The Qwaqwa Campus, as well as the entire university community, are shocked by this devastating and irresponsible act – especially after the campus experienced violent protest action this year, which significantly affected the academic programme,” said Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

The academic programme on the Qwaqwa Campus continues, mostly online for this week, and students will be informed by their faculties about the revised schedule, as well as arrangements regarding tests and assessments scheduled for this week on the campus.

The campus remains open; the university's Protection Services is on high alert and is monitoring the situation on campus closely.

It is alleged that students were unhappy about the payment of allowances they are due to receive from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) in April 2022. To alleviate this, the UFS has so far this year offered students allowances for food and books amounting to more than R71 million, while they are waiting for their NSFAS subsidies to be released. 


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.za


News Archive

Kovsies 7’s do University proud in recent tournaments
2012-12-01

The proud Kovsies 7’s team after the tournament that took place at Margate.
Photo: Supplied
6 Desember 2012

Kovsies 7’s, the University of the Free State’s (UFS) rugby sevens team, took part in two Varsity Sport Sevens tournaments (23 and 24 November 2012, and 30 November and 1 December 2012), as well as the USSA Rugby Sevens tournament (26 and 27 November 2012).

Dougie Heymans of KovsieSport says he is proud of the team. “In the three tournaments over a period of ten days, the team was able to win something at each tournament. At the Varsity Sports 7’s at Plettenberg Bay, the team won the plate competition. At the USSA tournament at George, they were placed third.”

The highlight of the series of matches played was when Kovsies won the Varsity Sports 7’s Tournament at Margate.

 

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