University of the Free State administrators defended security measures taken after violent demonstrations damaged campus facilities in October 2025. Officials closed the Qwaqwa location temporarily on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2025, following arson incidents and physical attacks that injured 37 security personnel and two staff members. A court order prohibited further property destruction as authorities worked with police units to restore order.
The institution eliminated its provisional registration system that allowed students to enroll without confirming payment arrangements. Accumulated obligations reached nearly 1 billion rand across five years as the unique program proved financially unsustainable. Leadership negotiated transition terms with student representatives on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2025, that maintain some assistance for those carrying previous balances.
Students returned to classes on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2025, after safety assessments confirmed acceptable conditions. The revised policy requires early financial counseling and scholarship applications to be submitted before each academic term begins. National Student Financial Aid Scheme recipients retain full enrollment privileges regardless of outstanding amounts.
The institution eliminated its provisional registration system that allowed students to enroll without confirming payment arrangements. Accumulated obligations reached nearly 1 billion rand across five years as the unique program proved financially unsustainable. Leadership negotiated transition terms with student representatives on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2025, that maintain some assistance for those carrying previous balances.
Students returned to classes on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2025, after safety assessments confirmed acceptable conditions. The revised policy requires early financial counseling and scholarship applications to be submitted before each academic term begins. National Student Financial Aid Scheme recipients retain full enrollment privileges regardless of outstanding amounts.
