4 students arrested for ‘public violence’ after chaos erupts at UFS!

As the on-going strike at the University of Free State(UFS) is taking toll following month of unresolved issues, scores of students embarked on another protest which turned out violent on Monday, 14 March.

Several university buildings such as the security block, SRC offices, residences and cafeteria were amongst facilities torched during this violent strike that led to the arrest of almost four students.

The campus car was rolled over and stoned by angry students.

According confirmed reports, these students who were arrested were charged with public violence.

Disgruntled students opted for a violent strike as they claimed that their demands were not met by the institution and the management.

Amongst underlying grievances raised by the students in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) handed over to the management of the school, students listed the following issues affecting them: private accommodation, outstanding registrations sue to the ‘N Plus’ rule.

According to the student movement, Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC) based in QwaQwa campus, the mass meeting that was supposed to take place on 14 March never happened since emergency C- section had to be taken by students.

“There are currently four (UFS) students arrested for public violence. One of the student was released, after he was badly beaten by the police,” the student movement said on their social media page.

We call upon all students to ensure that the students are supported in their bail hearing appearance” said the party.

The Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate Court will hear the bail application filed by the defendants.

This protest follows, concurrently a month later, where students halted registration process in February, as they were on a go slow against the the new Covid-19 policy, which required students to produce a vaccination certain certificate to gain entrance at their respective campuses