In a statement released late Monday evening, 2 September 2019, the university says it is aware of posts on various social media platforms that a female student was sexually accosted in the restrooms of the Examination Hall on the Bloemfontein campus earlier on Monday.

They maintain that while no incident of this nature was reported to UFS’ Protection Services, they will be investigating the matter further, urging anyone with information to come forward.

The allegations began gaining traction on social media amidst outrage at the revelation made in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court in the Western Cape on Monday that University of Cape Town (UCT) student, Uyinene “Nene” Mrwetyana, was allegedly raped and murdered at the Clareinch Post Office, the day she was last seen and reported missing. Reports indicate that the 42-year-old male accused and post office employee who confessed to the crime, lured Mrwetyana, a 19-year-old first-year Film student, back to the Post Office after his fellow employees had left the office.

The University of the Free State is no stranger to instances of rape much like campuses around the country. In 2018 a young woman was allegedly raped off-campus in Brandwag. It was initially believed that she was a UFS student but the institution later indicated that this was not the case.

OFM News