UFS fire over NSFAS allowances cost R35m, one student arrested

Millions of rands worth of property were destroyed, alleged by students, after the University of Free State’s (UFS) QwaQwa campus was set alight on Monday evening. The tertiary institution is conducting investigations into what they referred to as a tragedy.

R35 MILLION WENT UP IN SMOKE

UFS spokesperson Lacea Loader said the preliminary findings of their urgent investigation revealed that two buildings were deliberately set alight.

“Since the fire, one person, who is a registered student, has been arrested by the police and a process is underway to identify more suspects. The buildings, which housed the clinic and a computer laboratory, were almost completely destroyed, with damage to both buildings estimated at R35 million,”

said Loader.

She added that the academic programme on the Qwaqwa Campus continues, mostly online for this week, and students will be informed by their faculties about the revised schedule, as well as arrangements regarding tests and assessments scheduled for this week on the campus.

“The campus remains open,”

said UFS spokesperson Lacea Loader.

READ MORE: UFS fires over NSFAS allowances condemned by student union

UFS FEEL BETRAYED

Rampaging students were the alleged culprits after tempers flared over unreceived National Student Fund Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances.

Professor Francis Petersen, rector and vice-chancellor of the UFS said the destructive behaviour of the students was disappointing and condemns criminal behaviour such as this in the strongest terms.

“The Qwaqwa Campus, as well as the entire university community, are shocked by this devastating and irresponsible act,”

said Peterson.

NSFAS TO RESOLVE UNPAID DEBTS TO STUDENTS

NSFAS says it will start processing payments to institutions and paying student allowances from Friday, 08 April 2022.

Many institutions have had to shut down campuses due to violent student protests over unpaid study materials and meal allowances.

In a statement released on Tuesday, 5 April the Financial Aid Scheme confirmed that it has received the first portion of its budgetary allocation for the first quarter of the financial year. READ MORE…