Safety of UFS students living off campus remains a challenge: Authorities

University authorities say the safety of the University of the Free State (UFS) students living off campus remains a challenge.

Two students were shot and killed at their off campus student residences by unknown gunmen in Qwaqwa last week.

Two other students were severely wounded and one of them died in hospital.

UFS Vice chancellor, Francis Petersen addressed a media conference on Wednesday.

He says, “Members of the communities that are witnessing these crimes, I would like you to come forward and report them. We can’t only expect the police to resolve that, we have to work together to be able to see to what extent we can be able to deal with the issue of crime and violence. Enough is enough.”

Safe place

Last week, the Student Representative Council (SRC) President of  UFS’s Qwaqwa Campus, Sifiso Mofokeng, said they have moved the students who were affected by the shooting incident to safe places.

Mofokeng says the university management needs to beef up security inside and outside campus for the safety of students.

“We do have the private security company, but there is not much effort to ensure that the company serves the students to the maximum point,” says Mofokeng.

VIDEO: SABC’s Aphumelele Mdlalane reports on the shooting incident: