The University of the Free State (UFS), however, says it has been proactive in addressing issues that arise at the university - with the help of a special task team.

The rector and vice-chancellor of the university, Francis Petersen, told OFM News that many plans were put in place to ensure that the university opens in time. He added that the team was made up of twenty individuals from the UFS, the university also engaged with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to put in place protocols to address student-related issues.

Petersen added that there will still be many challenges that will arise as the academic year kicks off but the university will try its utmost to resolve them. This comes after violent protests flared up across the country, resulting in a Durban University of Technology student, who was involved in protest action, being shot dead.

OFM News