Grahamstown police are investigating a case of arson after a Rhodes University building caught fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning 27 May.
Grahamstown police are investigating a case of arson after a Rhodes University building caught fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning 27 May.
Police say details are, however, not clear. In a statement the university said part of the Steve Biko Student Union building was set on fire in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Executive Director: Infrastructure Operations and Finance Dr Iain L’Ange said the damaged building has been cordoned off and would be inspected by structural engineers.
"A full investigation by the South African Police Service, which includes the extent of the damage and the circumstances related to the fire, is currently under way," L'Ange said in an internal email.
The University will also be conducting its own investigation.
Security guards who were at the scene on Tuesday afternoon said they were instructed not to let anyone into the gutted building. Grahamstown police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said a case of arson was under investigation after a building at a local tertiary institution was allegedly set alight in the early hours of the morning.
"Swift action by the on-site protection and security service prevented the blaze from spreading further," she said.
The cause of the fire is unknown and will be determined after forensic experts conduct their investigation, according to police. Govender said the building was vacant at the time. No arrests have been made.
