Stellenbosch University office gutted by fire
by Staff Writer,
2016-03-11 10:41:50.0
STELLENBOSCH University has opened a case of "arson and damage to property" following an attack on the campus on Thursday night.
The university on Friday announced via Twitter that the case was opened with the South African Police Service "after events at Admin B last night".
The university later in the morning followed this up with "Admin B not torched as per some social media rumours. An office gutted and no one was hurt".
It also tweeted that the "fire was started in an office in basement of Admin B" at about 10pm.
On Wednesday‚ the student representative council protested against colonial symbols at the university as well as outsourcing.
Just before midnight on Wednesday‚ protesters — 32 dismissed workers of external service providers and 20 students — vacated the Ou Hoofgebou (Old Main Building) "after being served with a letter advising them that they were occupying the building unlawfully"‚ the university said.
This led to the management having to find alternative venues for Thursday’s classes.
"Disruptions of this nature are unacceptable‚" the university said.
"Despite the latest wave of protest action in which dismissed workers of external service providers seem to be playing a key role‚ the university remains committed to the full implementation of the agreement reached with workers of external service providers at the end of November 2015‚" chief operating officer Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen added.
"The university is determined to move ahead with transformation‚ and we would like to make a strong appeal to all stakeholders to join hands and work together through constructive engagement.
"At the same time‚ we have a responsibility to protect the university’s staff‚ students and property."
TMG Digital
Stellenbosch University. Picture: SUNDAY TIMES
STELLENBOSCH University has opened a case of "arson and damage to property" following an attack on the campus on Thursday night.
The university on Friday announced via Twitter that the case was opened with the South African Police Service "after events at Admin B last night".
The university later in the morning followed this up with "Admin B not torched as per some social media rumours. An office gutted and no one was hurt".
It also tweeted that the "fire was started in an office in basement of Admin B" at about 10pm.
On Wednesday‚ the student representative council protested against colonial symbols at the university as well as outsourcing.
Just before midnight on Wednesday‚ protesters — 32 dismissed workers of external service providers and 20 students — vacated the Ou Hoofgebou (Old Main Building) "after being served with a letter advising them that they were occupying the building unlawfully"‚ the university said.
This led to the management having to find alternative venues for Thursday’s classes.
"Disruptions of this nature are unacceptable‚" the university said.
"Despite the latest wave of protest action in which dismissed workers of external service providers seem to be playing a key role‚ the university remains committed to the full implementation of the agreement reached with workers of external service providers at the end of November 2015‚" chief operating officer Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen added.
"The university is determined to move ahead with transformation‚ and we would like to make a strong appeal to all stakeholders to join hands and work together through constructive engagement.
"At the same time‚ we have a responsibility to protect the university’s staff‚ students and property."
TMG Digital
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