VIDEO: University of Free State students protest despite interdict
All classes and tests have been cancelled at the Bloemfontein campus at the University of the Free State (UFS) following nationwide student protests over tuition fee hikes.
The shutdown and protest went ahead for a second day despite the institution obtaining an urgent court interdict against protesting students, Bloemfontein Courant reported.
“Management decided on this to ensure the safety of our staff and students. Further deliberation between the management and the SRC will take place today,” UFS spokesperson Lacea Loader said. Protests at the campus intensified as students, facing off with police, began burning tyres.
Click here to watch the video.
In a media statement by UFS Vice-Chancellor and Rector Jonathan Jansen said the interdict was not to prevent students from exercising their right to protest or use any form of demonstration that does not threaten people or property. He added management had a double responsibility of guaranteeing all students’ rights and safeguarding university staff, property and academic activities.
“First of all the court interdict does not give the students the demands they want. We are in a position to be arrested if we continue with the protest. But the protest is conducted in good faith, the protest is to fight for the best interest of the students. We want a 0% increase,” student representative council president Lindokuhle Ntuli said.
The university on Thursday afternoon announced that all academic and administrative activities would resume on Monday while information regarding exams and predicates would be made available tomorrow.
– Caxton News Service
Read original story on www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za
