Fort Hare University students arrested for property damage out on bail
Thirteen suspects arrested in connection with the violence and alleged arson at the Alice Campus of the University of Fort Hare (UFH) have been released on bail.
University of Fort Hare protest
The group of students from the institution appeared briefly in the Alice Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on charges of malicious damage to property and theft.
The students, aged between 19 and 22, were arrested on Sunday after a protest at UFH turned violent.
The initial court hearing for the accused took place on Tuesday, and was subsequently adjourned until Thursday to allow for additional profiling of the suspects involved.
Court appearance
During their court appearance, the students were granted bail, and some of them were released on a warning.
The case was postponed to 28 July for further investigation.
Following an unauthorized protest at UFH on Sunday evening, the group was arrested by police. Their protest was sparked by concerns over an alleged overcrowded examination schedule.
Twelve University of Fort Hare students have been arrested and charged with malicious damage to property after a sports centre was set alight at Alice campus.#sabcnews. pic.twitter.com/gSqEYLdkff
— Lubabalo Dada (@Lubabalo_Dada) June 5, 2023
Amid the protest, a section of the sports centre was set ablaze, and various other facilities suffered acts of vandalism.
UFH said it was actively gathering information from eyewitnesses, and they are meticulously reviewing social media posts preceding the incident. The university is also examining CCTV footage in an effort to identify the individuals responsible for the damage.
UFH has reported initial assessments suggesting that the incurred damages may amount to millions of rand.
In other news – Interesting things to know about Thembinkosi Lorch’s ex-girlfriend, Nokuphiwa Mathithibala
South African soccer star who plays for Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana, Thembinkosi Lorch made headlines on Tuesday, 6 June, when he was found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Nokuphiwa Mathithibala.
The former couple made headlines in September 2020 when Sunday World reported that Lorch was arrested for physically assaulting Mathithibala. Lorch – who currently shares a one-year-old baby with actress Natasha Thahane – was arrested on 7 September 2020 and granted immediate bail in the amount of R2 000. Learn More
