UFS Closes Qwaqwa Campus As Student Protests Turn Violent

The University of the Free State (UFS) has been forced to shut down its Qwaqwa campus after violent clashes erupted between students, campus security and police earlier this week. The unrest follows student outrage over the university’s decision to scrap provisional registration a move that many fear will lock out poor and working-class students from accessing higher education.

Campus In Chaos

The situation escalated on Monday night when a peaceful protest reportedly turned violent, leaving sections of university property damaged. UFS spokesperson Lacea Loader confirmed that an assessment of the damage is underway, with the university working to determine the full extent of the losses.

Loader said that all academic activities have been suspended and students have been instructed to vacate the Qwaqwa campus, along with the Bloemfontein and South campuses. “We are keeping a close eye on what is happening at our campuses and are assessing the damage on our Qwaqwa campus,” she said.

The Root Of The Unrest

At the heart of the protest is UFS’s decision to discontinue provisional registration from 2026. This system previously allowed students who had not yet fully met financial or academic requirements to register temporarily while finalising documentation or securing funding.

Student leaders say the removal of this policy disproportionately affects those from low-income households, who often rely on NSFAS or delayed financial aid approvals to study. “It’s another barrier for the poor,” one student leader argued, calling the university’s stance “elitist” and “out of touch” with the realities of rural and township students.

Students Face Criminal Charges

In the aftermath of the violence, several students are facing charges of malicious damage to property and attempted arson. Local law enforcement remains stationed near the campus as tensions persist.

A Broader Pattern

The protests at Qwaqwa highlight a recurring issue in South Africa’s higher education system: access and affordability. From #FeesMustFall to ongoing funding battles, the struggle for equitable education remains a flashpoint at universities across the country.

For students at Qwaqwa one of UFS’s most socio-economically vulnerable campuses the fear is simple: without provisional registration, dreams of higher education may be slipping further out of reach.

{Source:SABC News}

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