The Youth League chairperson, Makalo Mohale, who attended the court proceedings of 25 UFS students who were arrested by police on Thursday, says he is happy that students were granted free bail.

He says this demonstrates that some issues, such as their arrest, do not belong in a court of law.

Mohale says these students are fighting for their basic right, and they do not want the police to interfere with students.

"At least we will lend a hand by putting pressure on the University of the Free State to ensure that UFS agrees to the demands of students. Students are simply asking something simple - to be allowed to enter the campus to register. We will mobilise all our structures in support of the South African Student Congress (SASCO), the mother body and all its alliance partners, to say let us go and send a clear message to the University of the Free State that we can no longer negotiate access to Higher Education, " he adds.

UFS SRC president, Katleho Lechoo, previously told OFM News they will now intensify their efforts to ensure that students fighting against financial exclusion are not victimised in the process.

Meanwhile, during the court appearance of all 25 students at the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Friday, the state prosecutor, Mthetho Kopa, did not oppose the bail application by students, and the presiding Magistrate released all of them on warning, pending their re-appearance on 23 April 2021.

The case was postponed to allow for further police investigations. They face charges which include public violence and contravening the Road Traffic Act as well as the Gatherings Act. They were arrested on Thursday after police received numerous complaints.

OFM News