Thirteen students have been arrested for public violence at the University of Free State’s Qwaqwa campus, while five students from the main campus in Bloemfontein have also been arrested.

Students embarked on protests since Wednesday against the university’s proposed scrapping of provisional registration which comes into effect next year.

Police spokesperson Thabo Covane says the students will appear in court soon.

Covane adds that police have been deployed at the institution’s three campuses.

“Members of Public Order Police Unit Bloemfontein arrested five male students aged between 18 and 22 for public violence on the grounds of the university at Nelson Mandela Drive Park West campus in Bloemfontein at about 10:00. The students were arrested for throwing stones at police vehicles on patrol at the university. The police continue to conduct patrols in and around the campuses premises.”

#sapsFS Members of POP Unit Bloemfontein arrested five students aged between 18 and 22 for public violence on the grounds of the university at Nelson Mandela Drive – Park West campus in Bloemfontein at about 10:00. The students were arrested for throwing stones at the police… pic.twitter.com/3pG0D9jCLO

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) October 9, 2025