The University of Limpopo remains on high alert on Thursday, following a day of riots that led to the destruction of property at the Turfloop campus.
Limpopo University cancels classes on Thursday, 15 September 2022
As reported by Jacaranda FM, academic activities were cancelled on Thursday. Limpopo University staff members and on-campus students not participating in the riots were advised to stay away from campus grounds.
It remains unclear when classes are set to resume. It’s believed the tertiary institution is still locked in intense talks with representatives of rioters to find a solution, while a heavy presence of police and private security has been deployed to guard certain hotspot areas.
Here’s what caused the Limpopo University riots
Tensions have been palpable at Limpopo University since Wednesday when large groups of rioters believed to be off-campus students invaded the Turfloop campus, torching buildings and disrupting the day’s academic activities.
In a statement quoted by Times Live, Limpopo University spokesperson Johannes Selepe confirmed the riots broke out at approximately 11:00 after the tertiary’s executive management received a memorandum of demands from students living off campus and their respective landlords.
Selepe revealed the university has been at odds with this group since February 2022 over the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s (NSFAS) accommodation allowances.
According to Limpopo University, allowances had not been paid out to landlords and off-campus students simply because lease agreements related to the accommodation funding deal had not been signed.
“The NSFAS policy is that there will be no accommodation allowance if there is no signed lease agreement. We are pleading with all landlords and students to ensure that they conclude their respective activities so that the university can facilitate the speedy resolution of the matter,” Selepe explained.
It seems, somewhere along the way in ongoing negotiations between both parties, frustration boiled over and resulted in Wednesday’s fiery scenes.
Watch: Turfloop campus goes up in flames
According to Selepe, the university remains safe, and Thursday’s closure is a precaution to prevent further damage.
From what we understand, the Turfloop campus’ entrance at Gate 2, as well as a portion of the perimeter fence bordering the area and parts of car parking lots, were damaged.
Violent clashes between rioters and public order authorities were caught on camera by onlookers. Watch them below.