By Lloyd Phillips
Following clashes between some of its students and police on Wednesday, management of the Free State’s Glen Agricultural College (GAC) says it is prioritising resolving all the issues raised before the start of the second term.
Management of the GAC in the Free State’s Bloemfontein district says it remains committed to ensuring that its students’ needs are addressed and that the college’s academic programme resumes in the upcoming second term without any further interruptions.
African Farming reported on Thursday that GAC’s management opted to close the college a week before the scheduled end of this year’s first academic term after some students embarked on a protest on campus on Wednesday. Unverified videos posted on social media show reportedly hostile clashes between police and protesting students that day.
Also as reported by African Farming, the protesting students had been complaining about a range of alleged issues, including poor hostel accommodations, sub-standard education, and even sexual harassment by police during the protest.
In response to questions from African Farming to seek further clarity, the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (FS DARD) under which GAC falls, replied that 195 registered students have been impacted by the college’s early term closure.
The FS DARD adds that this early closure is to allow GAC management time to investigate the protesting students’ grievances without disruption, and to address any grievances that are found to be valid.
“On Wednesday, the protesting students closed the gates and blocked access to the college and to the department, which led to disruptions to the normal activities and service delivery of the college and the department,” the FS DARD tells African Farming.
“Students were requested to vacate the institution on 20 March 2025, and the institution already made provision for students whp would not be able to vacate on time. The institution is co-operating with students to ensure all students vacate the institution and travel safely,” the FS DARD responds.
As previously reported, GAC management intends to have any of the protesting students’ valid grievances addressed by the start of the second academic term on 18 April.
The DA joins the fray
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) political party has joined the fray. Werner Pretorius, DA member of the Committee for Agricultural and Rural Economic Development, says in a statement his party is holding the FS DARD accountable for the early closure of GAC.
Pretorius says the DA has also received complaints from GAC students and their parents regarding the likes of alleged poor management practices, fraud and corruption, lack of maintenance, inadequate study materials, and a lack of personal protective equipment.
“We have received damning evidence of the poor state of the GAC facility despite the R6,29 million spent on upgrades recently. The FS DARD]spends around R37 million a year on the facility, which should be an asset to the province,” Pretorius continues.
He says the DA intends holding Elzabe Rockman, the FS DARD’s MEC, accountable for effectively tackling the various alleged issues at GAC.
Also read: Glen Agricultural College temporarily closed due to lack of services
