UFS Qwaqwa campus burnt down by a student

 

The student has been arrested in connection with the fire that ripped through two buildings at the UFS Qwaqwa campus on Monday night 

The University of Free state (UFS) confirmed that the fire that was coming out was from Qwaqwa University , the blaze saw two building go up in flames on Monday night. "Since the fire, one person, who is a registered student, has been arrested by the police and process is under way to identify more suspects", the university said in statement 

 The university said it believed the blaze was in relation for student injustice about their NSFAS payments ''it is alleged that students were unhappy about  the payments of allowance they are due to receive from the NSFAS in April 2022. To alleviate this, the UFS has so far this year offered allowances for food and books amounting to more than R71m while they are waiting for NSFAS subsidies to be released" the university said.

The building destroyed housed a clinic and computer lab. The total damage is estimated about R35m , the video reportedly taken by students has been circulating on social media, the video shows alleged arsonists setting the lab on fire while other students watch. the Qwaqwa campus and  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 programmed ,the university said classes will continue, mostly online for the rest of the week with students informed by their faculties about the revised schedule, as well as the assignments and tests 

The campus will remain opened, the university's protection services are on high alert and closely monitoring the  situation on campus 

By Nozipho Mazibuko