The University of Johannesburg’s Bunting campus now faces damages of close to R1m after a suspect burnt down an office block.

Yesterday at around 12:00, the Brixton Police Station was alerted by UJ’s Protection Services of a suspect detained by security guards for arson.

On arrival, police officers found a 31-year-old male who alleged that he paid R16 000 to two individuals at UJ to arrange that his student accommodation become an accredited student accommodation. However, after he had paid them, he allegedly received no feedback from these individuals.

“The suspect got tired of asking for services paid and he walked into an office block at Bunting campus, poured petrol over the furniture, and before setting it alight he told the personnel in the office to get out of the building,” said the police station’s spokesperson, Jeanette Backhoff.

”He then went to his vehicle, a white Toyota bakkie, where he was arrested by the security officers on campus.”

Two employees were taken by ambulance to Milpark Hospital for smoke inhalation and the suspect will appear in court tomorrow.

Backhoff commended the Protection Services at UJ for their quick response and arrest of the suspect.

“This is proof that Brixton SAPS has a good relationship with the security companies that serve the Brixton policing area.”

She said that together they will curb crime and arrest suspects.