BLOEMFONTEIN: Despite an agreement having been reached on the phasing out of provisional registration over two years, criminal processes are pending against the 23 students arrested in connection with at the University of the Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein. Their arrest pertains sporadic violence at the university main campus in Bloemfontein.
Academic activities resumed on Monday, 20 October. On Wednesday, 15 October, the UFS executive committee (exco) signed a memorandum of agreement with student bodies: the Institutional Representative Council (ISRC) and the Campus Student Representative Councils (CSRCs). The aim of this was to end violent protests against the exco’s decision to discontinue provisional registration for the 2026 academic year.
The arrestees, aged between 18 and 22, were apprehended on separate occasions − on and off the premises of the university’s main campus. Their acts formed part of a demonstration demanding review of the decision.
The arrestees appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on separate charges and dates: 10, 13 and 16 October. Members of the Bloemfontein police and private security on campus effected the arrests.
Lt Col. Thabo Covane, spokesperson for the Free State police, said charges ranged from contravention of the Road Traffic Act to contravention of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act and public violence − as well as charges relating to malicious damage to property.
Those charged with contravention of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act and public violence are a group of nine students, consisting of two females and seven males. This is the first group arrested on the university’s main campus, set to reappear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on 4 November.
Covane said they were released on warning, with strict conditions, prohibiting them from entering, or residing on, the institution’s campus until their case is finalised. Their first court appearance was on 10 October, a day after their arrest.
The second group, six male students, appeared in court on 13 October, following their arrest regarding a petrol bomb attack on 11 October, at about 01:15.
Covane said these students were charged with malicious damage to property on the university’s main campus. They allegedly threw a homemade petrol bomb at the guard room of the university situated at gate 2, at Badenhorst Street.
The third group, eight male students, was arrested on Wednesday, 15 October, about 07:20, for blockading D.F. Malherbe Avenue, adjacent to gate 5. The disgruntled group used stones to block the road, resulting in traffic congestion.
According to Covane, the group is charged with contravention of the Road Traffic Act and public disruption.
Following the escalation of violent acts, the UFS closed all three campuses: the main campus and south campus in Bloemfontein, as well as the Qwaqwa campus. Incidents of violence accompanied by vandalism were reported at the Qwaqwa campus, but no arrests were made.
