Armed robbers hit UFS campus
2010-03-19 09:00
Pieter Steyn and Gerda-Marié Viviers, Volksblad
Bloemfontein - The University of the Free State (UFS) was shaken on Thursday when three armed robbers struck at the office of a departmental head.
The robbers stormed into the office of Professor Jo van As, head of the department of zoology and entomology. Van As, a Master's student and a technical assistant were tied up and threatened with firearms.
A student who was in the building at the time of the incident, who prefers to remain anonymous, says two of the three robbers were in Van As's office on Wednesday afternoon as well, pretending to be students.
Van As recognised them immediately when they stormed in along with a third robber on Thursday.
"They obviously came to investigate and plan the robbery on Wednesday."
The robbers tied them up with cable ties and forced them all under the desk.
'Don't be a hero'
"When the professor shifted slightly, they pressed a firearm against his back and told him 'Don't be a hero, Prof'."
The robbers stuffed the stolen cellphones, wallets and computers in a bag and fled, presumably in a grey Isuzu double-cab bakkie which had been stolen on the campus earlier that day. The bakkie's registration number is DNS 546 FS.
Koos Bonthuys, station commander of the Park Road police station, said in a statement that no stone will be left unturned in the search for the robbers.
Anyone with information should immediately contact their nearest police station.
Van As, an expert on Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, is apparently severely traumatised. He declined to speak to Volksblad.
News about the robbery spread through Bloemfontein like wildfire.
Students scared, vulnerable
Students who spoke to Volksblad said they feel scared and vulnerable. "Anyone can attack us when we're sitting all alone in a laboratory."
UFS rector Jonathan Jansen expressed his shock over the incident.
"The situation is under control and students and staff should remain calm. The top management will be doing everything in its power to protect our staff and students."
According to Jansen, urgent meetings will be held to determine how security can be improved.