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Preliminary finding indicates fire on UFS Qwaqwa Campus caused by arson

05 April 2022 | Story Lacea Loader

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

SRC and student parliament elections declared free and fair

2004-08-17

The Electoral Institute of Southern Africa (EISA) has certified the University of the Free State ’s (UFS) election process today ( Friday 13 August 2004 ) and declared it free and fair.

The process to elect a Student Representative Council (SRC) and Student Parliament started on 2 August 2004 and ended today with the announcement of the results.

“No objections regarding the voting process were received and the preliminary results were announced last night. A total of 2192 votes were cast, while 416 votes were spoilt,” said Mr Seth Phamuli, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of EISA.

Mr Alfred Geldenhuys, third year student in B Com Human Resource Management, was declared the SRC President for 2004/2005. Mr Geldenhuys was SRC representative for Campus Matters in 2003/2004.

The other members of the SRC are:

Vice-President: Annelise de Kock (fourth year student in B Sc Dietetics)

Secretary: Michelle du Plessis (third year student in B Sc)

Treasurer: Dida Coetzer (third year student in B Rek)

Academics: Cherese Laubscher (third year student in MB Ch B)

Ladies Internal Liaison: Tanya de Jager (third year student in B Ed Intermediary Phase)

Men’s Internal Liaison: Stef Conradie (third year student in BA Human Movement Science)

Transformation: Clayton van der Ross (second year student in B Com Human Resources Management)

Arts and Culture: AC Geldenhuys (second year student in B Acc)

Recreation and Internal

Affairs: Khotso Motloung (third year student in B Com Accounting)

Campus Services: Sylvanus Watson (fourth year student in B Sc Agric)

Constitutional and

Legal Affairs: Lerato Mofoti (fourth year student in LLB)

Dialogue and

Associations: Owen Kumalo (third year student in B Com Sport Management)

Kovscom: Estel Scheepers (third year student in BA Integrated Marketing)

Sport: Graeme Bradley (second year student in B Com Human Resources Management)

Student Development: Werner du Preez (third year student in B Com Economics)

Irawa: Jeanri-Tine van Zyl (second year student in BA Media Studies)

In the Student Parliament the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) and the Kovsie Alliance were each granted seven seats, whilst the Here XVII was granted 11 seats.

MEDIAVERKLARING

Uitgereik deur: Lacea Loader
Mediaverteenwoordiger
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Sel: 083 645 2454
E-pos: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za

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