Earlier this morning students of the University of the Free State (UFS) showed up in great numbers and gathered at the Bloemfontein campus’s main building for their long awaited safety march, which was held in collaboration with students of the Central University of Technology (CUT).
A memorandum was handed over to the South African Police Services and the Mangaung Metro Municipality, in which the latter parties had been given seven working days to respond to the students’ demands.
This student initiative sought to promote awareness of the safety of all students, including those off campus. UFS Vice-chancellor, Francis Paterson, and SRC president, Sikhululekile Luwaca, also attended the event, and asked the students to march in a peaceful manner.
The march is part of the UFS’s campaign for safety awareness, as statistics show that crime, rape and the safety of students is something to be worried about.
Petersen said students leaving the campus are often attacked and robbed. He added that although the university can ensure the safety of students on campus, the police must assist them with the protection of students who do not stay on campus.
– Pierce van Heerden
pierce@mahareng.co.za
