Johannesburg - An auditorium at the University of Johannesburg was badly damaged in an apparent arson attack on Sunday night.
Joburg Central police spokesman Warrant Officer Gordon Billing said the police were still investigating and could not say what had caused the fire.
No arrests have been made.
On Monday morning, shocked students stood outside the Sanlam Auditorium at UJ's Auckland Park campus.
“There’s nothing left. It’s all gone and it was such a beautiful auditorium,” a staff member was overheard saying.
Some students also expressed their anger.
One student, who identified herself only as Lerato, said she’d heard the e-labs and auditorium had been petrol-bombed on Sunday night.
“I have a class here shortly and I don’t know what I’m going to do,” she said.
“It’s pointless. Protest over whatever the issue is, but don’t destroy our campus.”
Campus security, the police and the fire department were on the scene assessing the damage.
The venue was closed to the public and The Star was blocked from entering.
From outside, the inside of the auditorium appeared to be badly damaged. Desks and chairs were completely burnt; only the shell of a room remained.
Members of staff who were let into the burnt-out venue walked out disheartened.
“I don’t understand why people do this,” said one.
The windows and outer walls were scorched and the heavy smell of smoke filled the hallways.
A security guard told The Star both the auditorium and the computer labs above it were damaged.
“So many students come in from the township to use the computers because they have nothing to work on at home. How must they do their work now?” asked the security guard.
A student who gave her name only as Nthabiseng said she believed politics was behind it. “Politics is a dirty game,” she said. “This isn’t about #FeesMustFall any more, it’s about politics and it’s the innocent who suffer.”
UJ spokesman Herman Esterhuizen confirmed that a fire had broken out in the auditorium but was unable to say what had caused it.
One witness, who wanted to stay anonymous, said the fire was visible as he walked past the venue late last night.
“I’m afraid to talk because they might think I was involved, but I’m not,” he said.
“I just saw the smoke and the glow of the fire. It didn’t look normal. I alerted security, but I’m not sure what happened next. I left quickly because I’m not involved and don’t want them to think I am.
“It’s wrong, whoever did this must be accountable.”
The Star