UJ building goes up in flames

Three computer labs were also reportedly destroyed, with speculation that the building was petrol bombed.

The university confirmed the fire, but has been unable to comment on which building was set alight. 

The Kingsway Campus' Student Representative Council (SRC) tweeted that it was the Sanlam Auditorium

WATCH: Maryke Vermaak reports from the Kingsway Campus

SRC President Onwabile Lubhelwana said it is alleged that the EFF Student Command was behind the fire.

"The university is in the process to insource workers and there are bouncers that students are uncomfortable with, however, the EFF is refusing to allow the process to happen. They want it to happen immediately," Lubhelwana said.

According to Lubhelwana, students said they saw EFF members start the fire.

"We have noticed these are people who are avoiding to study, who are avoiding exams and have no plans to go back to class. Our belief is that this is another attempt to destabilise the state by disrupting universities and burning buildings," Lubhelwana said.

Meanwhile, spokesperson for the EFF Student Command on the campus, Peter Keetse, said it is not the first time they were being accused.

"We've been very disciplined (at the university), we are not that 'rascalish' how people portray us to be. The accusation is, perhaps, an attempt to demobilise [us]...to cripple the EFF at the University of Johannesburg...why must we burn buildings?" Keetse asked.

Students have taken to social media to post pictures of the building.

 This is a developing story.