The University of Free State in Bloemfontein suspended lectures on Tuesday following clashes between rugby supporters and protesters during a rugby match at the institution.
The institution said the match, between FNB NMMU Madibaz and hosts FNB UFS Shimlas at Shimla Park, Bloemfontein was halted during the first half on Monday night after protesters invaded the field.
“The rugby players of both teams, as well as the match officials, immediately cleared the field as the protesters moved across the field towards the halfway line. Members of the UFS protection services gathered around the protesters but were outnumbered. After a few minutes, spectators ran onto the field,” the university said in a statement.
“The protesters were chased off the field and beaten by the spectators. Injured persons were treated by medical personnel. It is clear at this time that both the protesting group and the spectators included non-students.”
A video taken from the scene and posted online showed a confrontation between white and black students in the pitch. Some of the white students punched and kicked the pitch invaders during the confrontation.
<p =""> </p><p =""> </p><p ="">The university said an investigation was under way while lectures remained suspended until Wednesday.</p><p ="">“The senior leadership of the UFS condemns in the strongest terms possible the violence against the protesters; nobody has the right to take the law into their own hands,” said the university.</p><p ="">“An urgent investigation is underway, using footage from the event, and no stone will be left unturned to identify those who acted violently, whether students or not. The safety of staff and students is our priority. The south campus will be shut on 23 and 24 February.” </p><p ="">– African News Agency (ANA)</p>
University of Free State suspends lectures
The University of Free State in Bloemfontein suspended lectures on Tuesday following clashes between rugby supporters and protesters during a rugby match at the institution.
The institution said the match, between FNB NMMU Madibaz and hosts FNB UFS Shimlas at Shimla Park, Bloemfontein was halted during the first half on Monday night after protesters invaded the field.
“The rugby players of both teams, as well as the match officials, immediately cleared the field as the protesters moved across the field towards the halfway line. Members of the UFS protection services gathered around the protesters but were outnumbered. After a few minutes, spectators ran onto the field,” the university said in a statement.
“The protesters were chased off the field and beaten by the spectators. Injured persons were treated by medical personnel. It is clear at this time that both the protesting group and the spectators included non-students.”
A video taken from the scene and posted online showed a confrontation between white and black students in the pitch. Some of the white students punched and kicked the pitch invaders during the confrontation.
<p =""> </p><p =""> </p><p ="">The university said an investigation was under way while lectures remained suspended until Wednesday.</p><p ="">“The senior leadership of the UFS condemns in the strongest terms possible the violence against the protesters; nobody has the right to take the law into their own hands,” said the university.</p><p ="">“An urgent investigation is underway, using footage from the event, and no stone will be left unturned to identify those who acted violently, whether students or not. The safety of staff and students is our priority. The south campus will be shut on 23 and 24 February.” </p><p ="">– African News Agency (ANA)</p>Would you like to comment on this article?
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