BLOEMFONTEIN: Security has been tightened around the three campuses of the University of the Free State (UFS) − one in Qwaqwa and two in Bloemfontein − with police and private security officials in addition to university security. This was done following the escalation of violence by unhappy students protesting against the university management’s decision to discontinue provisional registration for the 2026 academic year.
Acts of violence include a petrol bomb attack on the main campus in Bloemfontein and vandalism at the Qwaqwa campus in the Eastern Free State. All lectures on the three campuses were suspended until further notice. In addition, students residing on the campuses were ordered to vacate due to safety concerns. The Qwaqwa campus was closed with immediate effect, yesterday and students have been requested to vacate the campus within 24 hours. This decision followed incidents on the evening on Monday, 13 October during which a group of students caused extensive damage to university property. They were got involved in acts of vandalism and arson. Several security officers sustained injuries and three remain hospitalised during violent acts.
The Bloemfontein Campus Student Representative Council (CSRC) said students are disgruntled due to the university management’s decision to end provisional registration for the next academic year. The student-led violent protest comes ahead of the examinations scheduled to commence on 3 November.
According to the police, the deployment of police officers on the campuses followed a request from the university management team.
Acts of violence have led to the arrest of six students in connection with a petrol bomb attack on the Bloemfontein campus. They appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 13 October. Their appearance followed their arrest by GAP Management Security officers on campus on Saturday, at about 01:15.
Lt Col. Thabo Covane, spokesperson for the Free State police, said the six students had been apprehended after apparently throwing a self-made petrol bomb at the guard room of the university.
“The police, together with crime scene experts, were called to process the scene. They face charges of malicious damage to property,” said Covane.
This arrest came just hours after the arrest of the first: a group of nine students. The court released them, with two released on R500 bail each, on Friday. The other seven were released on free bail, under conditions prohibiting them from being seen or residing on campus. One of these was that they should not enter the institution’s campus until their case is finalised. The nine, aged between 18 and 22, are set to reappear in court on 4 November. They face charges of public violence on the university’s premises.
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