In a statement the UFS last night said the necessary steps will be taken to ensure outstanding classes and tests continue without any disruptions. Communication about the rescheduling of classes and tests affected by disruptions on both campuses will be communicated today.

This comes after academic activities were disrupted on the Bloemfontein Campus on Wednesday following a mass meeting (Legothla) during which fee increases, among others, came under the spotlight. UFS spokesperson, Lacea Loader, says in a statement an 8% increase in tuition fees was discussed in a meeting between the Executive Management of the UFS and the Student Representative Council (SRC) on Wednesday, but no final decision has been taken yet.

She also dismissed rumours on social media of a different basic percentage point in relation to tuition fees for 2018.

Meanwhile, the SRC has assured students of its consistent support in an effort to advance their struggles. In a post on the SRC's official Facebook page, president Asive Dlanjwa says there is, however, a clear distinction between legitimate protests through legitimate means and criminal behaviour. “We protest in an effort to voice and express our needs and frustrations, often after tireless and fruitless engagements with the university and its systems.”

Dlanjwa says the SRC condemns and denounces violence. This comes after challenges including “financial constraints to major safety concerns” were raised by students this week during the meeting. He says these challenges were captured in a memorandum of demands that was submitted to management yesterday.

“In all our history of protests, we have never utilised and condoned violence and as a result, we have never sustained any injuries, be it that of our students or any persons on campus.”

Dlanjwa says university management is expected to respond today. A student told OFM News after the meeting on Wednesday that students were not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting. 

According to the student, all roleplayers are in the process of negotiations whereby “they want to increase the fees by 12% or 12,5%. The students were not in line with that.” He said students were planning a shutdown and if the negotiations of the fee increase continue, there will be no examinations taking place at the UFS.

OFM News