Fort Hare in Flames: 12 students arrested for malicious damage, exams postponed
Violent protests erupted at the University of Fort Hare, resulting in the arrest of 12 students for property damage and burglary. On Sunday, the eve of exams, campus protests erupted at the University of Fort Hare in Alice, Eastern Cape. A dozen students were arrested for malicious damage to property and burglary business. READ: Known drug […]
Violent protests erupted at the University of Fort Hare, resulting in the arrest of 12 students for property damage and burglary.
On Sunday, the eve of exams, campus protests erupted at the University of Fort Hare in Alice, Eastern Cape. A dozen students were arrested for malicious damage to property and burglary business.
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FORT HARE CAMPUS PROTESTS TURN VIOLENT AS STUDENTS ARRESTED FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE AND BURGLARY
The arrested students allegedly looted a cafeteria and damaged several buildings at the university. Warrant Officer Majola Nkholi said police were called to the scene at approximately 20:20 on Sunday after complaints about a violent protest.
“At the scene, police arrested 12 students for malicious damage to property and burglary business, after the University examination hall was slightly damaged, and its furniture was removed and torched just outside the hall.
“It is further said that a mob then went amok and damaged several surveillance camera systems and also looted the institution’s cafeteria,” said Nkohli.
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EXAM SCHEDULE DISPUTE SUSPECTED AS CAUSE OF TURMOIL
It is believed that the mayhem is linked to an internal dispute about exams, according to police. Fort Hare spokesperson JP Roodt dismissed the link and said, “Allegations circulating on social media of congested exam timetables as the basis for the violence on campuses are unfounded for several reasons” to News24.
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He said students and faculties were consulted ahead of the exams, and there were no formal complaints. Students are reportedly complaining about the congested test timetable.
“The university is certainly not ruling out foul play or the deliberate sponsorship of student violence,” said the Fort Hare spokesperson.
According to EWN, the end-of-semester exams, which were meant to take place on Monday, have been postponed in the wake of the incident.