Max Price doesn't take firebombing his office personally

UCT vice chancellor Max Price says it is "nothing personal" that his office was petrol-bombed by protesting students last night.

His office, surrounded by yellow police ticker tape, is just one floor down from the historical Mafeje Room in the central admin building where he gave a press conference this morning.

"I wasn't on campus when the petrol bombing happened," said Price. "Fire alarms went off and a team was called in to put it out. At this stage there is no evidence of who did it. It is a crime scene and will be treated as such."

Asked what he thought about the sentiment behind the bombing, he said: "The office represents the head of the university. Therefore, I do not take it personally."

By this morning (wed) no debris remained of the oil paintings from various residences on UCT's campus that were publicly burnt last night before vice chancellor Max Price's office was petrol-bombed.

A Jammie shuttle bus was also burnt to the ground.

The main artery that runs through the campus, however, was still blocked where a symbolic shack had been erected by protesting students and then torn down by the authorities earlier in the week.

Students by-passing the road block looked on as workers used industrial acid to remove spray-painted graffitti on a war memorial that read "fuck black exclusion"and "fuck white people".

On other parts of campus, it was business as usual with no sign of any protest action or security.

Russell Ally, executive director of the Department of Alumni and Development, said: "What happened here last night is tragic on many levels. The problems and issues that students have identified are important ones, but leadership is lacking and the methods used by the students are not sound. These actions have also led to polarization on campus. Many students feel that what happened last night is not something they are a part of or identify with."

He said the violent actions on campus also incurred high costs, which could be put to better use.

"Also, these are good students with a lot of potential and this is compromising their future. Because it is in the criminal realm, police become responsible for what happens next. But, in terms of expelling students, a student would never be expelled without a hearing in which this was found to be suitable action."

A student, who did not want to be named, said: "People cry over a burning bus but not an education that will eradicate a family's poverty. That spells privilege."