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29 April 2024 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Supplied
Protection Services Crime and Incident Investigation Proceedure
The UFS Crime and Incident Investigation Procedure is committed to maintaining campus safety.

In alignment to its strategic Vision 130 of fostering a safe and secure environment for all staff and students, the University of the Free State (UFS) introduced a robust Crime and Incident Investigation Procedure. This initiative underscores the institution's commitment to upholding its values of integrity, accountability, and excellence, while ensuring the well-being of its diverse community.

Jacobus van Jaarsveld, Deputy Director at Protection Services, highlighted the importance of this procedural framework, stating: “Our aim is to establish a culture of safety and accountability within the university community. By implementing this procedure, we are reaffirming our dedication to prompt and thorough investigations of all reported incidents.”

Comprehensive coverage and scope

The Procedure encompasses all UFS students, staff members, visitors, contractors, and service providers across multiple campuses and satellite sites. It addresses incidents occurring both on-campus and off-campus if they affect the university’s reputation or assets.

Ethical and professional investigations

All investigations are conducted with professionalism, impartiality, and adherence to legal and ethical standards. The principle of “innocent until proven guilty” is upheld, respecting the rights and freedoms of all individuals involved.

Students, staff members, and other stakeholders are obligated to familiarise themselves with the Procedure, promptly report incidents, cooperate with investigators, and comply with university policies and codes of conduct.

Inclusive and collaborative approach

The Procedure emphasises the importance of inclusivity, ensuring that investigative processes accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities. It also highlights the establishment of interdepartmental service level agreements to facilitate collaboration and information-sharing among relevant departments.

Continuous improvement and monitoring

The UFS will monitor reported incidents through regular updates and crime overviews. Additionally, ongoing evaluation and refinement of the Procedure will be based on crime statistics, security risk assessments, and best practices in investigative management.

In conclusion, the implementation of the Crime and Incident Investigation Procedure represents a significant step forward in the UFS’s ongoing efforts to create a safe, supportive, and conducive environment for learning, teaching, and research. Through proactive measures and steadfast adherence to principles of integrity and accountability, the university reaffirms its commitment to excellence in all aspects of university life.

Report crime

Bloemfontein Campus Protection Services: +27 51 401 2911 or +27 51 401 2634
South Campus Protection Services: +27 51 505 1217 
Qwaqwa Campus Protection Services: +27 58 718 5460 or +27 58 718 5175

Click here to download the Crime and Incident Investigation Procedure booklet and watch the video below.

News Archive

Kovsies still enjoy successful exchange opportunity
2010-08-25

 
Students Ian Botha, Lize Swart and SW Meintjies with Prof. Izak Groenewald (second from right) at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg upon the student’s recent departure to Virginia Tech. Photo: Supplied

More than a decade ago, the then Chairperson of Free State Agriculture, Piet Gous, in collaboration with the then Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), Prof. Piet Wilke, started an exchange initiative which still makes a difference to students’ lives today.

Students at the university get the opportunity to go and study at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg in the United States of America (USA) during the second semester. During the first semester the UFS then receive American students. Since its inception in 1998, 142 students have already participated in the exchange programme.

“It is not only about six months’ studies at an American university. It is about the expansion of horizons, the creation of new frames of reference and exposure to other cultures and customs in order to attain and experience more life capacity,” says Prof. Izak Groenewald, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development at the UFS. Prof. Groenewald has acted as coordinator of this student exchange programme since 1997.

According to Prof. Groenewald, the secret of the successful programme rests with the fact that Kovsies pay their tuition and accommodation fees at the UFS as if they were studying here. However, they enjoy the privileges at Virginia Tech. Similarly, the American students pay their corresponding fees at Virginia Tech and then enjoy the privileges offered by the UFS. 

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