The UFS has since opened investigations after a building at their Qwaqwa campus was gutted by fire on Monday evening. UFS spokesperson, Lacea Loader, tells OFM News that the fire brigade and police were on campus to determine the cause and extent of damages. She says that an urgent investigation into the matter has been launched. Loader says that more information will follow as soon as it is available.

ALSO READ: UFS students protest over issue of allowances

OFM News previously reported that two students were allegedly shot with stun grenades, by police officers, during a protest march at the UFS main campus in Bloemfontein on Monday. One of the students, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the protest is based on matters of books, meals and accommodation allowances.

He said that the institution is not open to assisting students who are stranded after it was announced that NSFAS is still awaiting for National Treasury to release funds.

Meanwhile, a group of protesting students gathered at the Welkom Central University of Technology (CUT) campus on Sunday, after law enforcement agencies, protection services, and Public Order Police demolished the shacks they had erected on campus.

ALSO READ: Welkom students protest over demolished campus shacks

Students are expected to march to the headquarters of the Department of Higher Education and Training in Pretoria on Tuesday to demand free education and the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande, to step down.

Last month, the Vice Rector responsible for Operations at the UFS, Prakash Naidoo, told OFM News that the computer centre and the dining hall were among the most damaged sections of the Qwaqwa campus after violent looting and vandalism at the time. It was revealed that damages could cost millions.

OFM News