ARSON ATTACK AT LUCT, EXAMS HALTED

MBABANE – Examinations had to be halted at the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) yesterday as part of the institution was torched by unknown people.

It was gathered that research laboratories, which had several computers and a server room, were torched. In as much as the media was not allowed to get inside the institution, but one could see at the back of the affected building that window panes were broken and walls had soot as a result of the fire. Lucky Mathonsi, LUCT Public Relations Officer (PRO), confirmed the incident. Mathonsi, who came to address the media from outside the gate, stated that the incident reportedly took place at around midnight. Mathonsi said so far, the extent and the cost of the damages could not be established as the police were still investigating. He stated that they were waiting for a report from the police before making any further comments. He confirmed that research laboratories and a server room were torched. It is worth noting that the server room was where the institution’s entire internet system came from. After the arson attack, the institution was left without internet connection.

The PRO condemned the act as it was affecting the students’ learning process and would also affect the entire institution’s operations. When this reporter arrived at the institution at around 7:30am, students and staff members were denied entry into the premises. Police officers from various departments such as the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Bomb Disposal Unit and others, were seen busy inspecting the scene. At around 8:30am, LUCT Director Tfobile Gumede came to address the staff members who were locked out. She informed them as to what had transpired and the way forward.

Proceed

The staff members were thereafter let inside the campus while students remained behind. As soon as the staff members had gone into the campus, Gumede then addressed the students and informed them that despite the situation, exams would proceed. However, later on there was a change of heart as Gumede dismissed the students and told them to return today to proceed with their exams. Some students, who were doing their in-house internships, were allowed to get in to proceed with their work but on strict rules that they did not go near the affected areas. The other students made their way back to their various residences. In an interview with some of the students, they expressed shock about the incident. They stated that they woke up as usual and headed to the institution to proceed with their examinations and practical exercises, only to find that the gates were closed.

The students said this would affect them in the long run as they would not be able to do their research since the computers they used were burnt. The institution is currently faced with the matter of the 22 students who were suspended and would not sit for their examinations pending a disciplinary verdict. When asked in relation to this matter and the arson attack, Mathonsi said in as much as they may not make conclusions and point fingers, but this was also investigated as well.

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