The University of the Free State (UFS) is investigating an alleged attack on a student by private security guards at its Qwaqwa campus. The incident, which was captured on video, occurred following protest action by the students on Tuesday.
Students were protesting against the deregistration of provisionally registered students, in particular, those awaiting application approval from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
UFS spokesperson, Lacea Loader, told Courant the university is aware of the video.
“The senior leadership condemns this deplorable incident. An investigation is underway to determine the nature and cause of the incident. Appropriate steps will be taken once the outcome of the investigation is available,” she said.
In the video the student is heard screaming while security guards are kicking the student of the floor. Another security guard is seen running up from a few metres away and stomping the student.
The Qwaqwa campus has been closed since Tuesday following the protest action and students that live in hostels were also asked to vacate the campus premises for their own safety.
Loader added that the SRC presented a memorandum requesting the provisional registration deadline of 31 March 2017 be extended on Monday.
Mogotsi Mogotsi/Courant News
