Fort Hare Orders Students to Vacate Campuses as Protests Turn Violent
The University of Fort Hare has ordered all students to leave its campuses by the close of business on Thursday following violent protests that have seen several university buildings set alight.
Since Monday, students have been protesting against what they describe as the collapse of governance systems at the institution. They have called for Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu to step down, accusing him of complacency over allegations of mismanagement.
Despite an urgent court interdict obtained on Tuesday from the Eastern Cape High Court in Bhisho prohibiting unlawful gatherings at the Dikeni and East London campuses, students continued to protest on Wednesday. That day, the administration block of the university’s main campus in Dikeni (formerly Alice) was engulfed in flames.
In a statement to the university community on Wednesday evening, Buhlungu expressed regret over the destruction. “The university management expresses its deep disappointment and regret that the actions of a few have endangered the safety of the entire university community and disrupted the academic programme. The institution remains committed to restoring normal operations as soon as the security situation allows. The latest developments, including the large-scale destruction of property, indicate that we are dealing with much bigger issues, with a significant component of sponsored violence and criminality,” he said.
University spokesperson JP Roodt provided further details of the arson attacks. He said multiple buildings on the Dikeni campus had been targeted, including the main administrative building, the student affairs building, the agriculture building, and a newly built campus clinic, which was due to open later this month.
“No injuries or loss of life have been reported,” Roodt said, adding that preliminary estimates place the cost of damages between R250 million and R500 million. A more detailed assessment will follow.
A student leader, who spoke to News24 on condition of anonymity, insisted that protests would continue until their demands are addressed. “We are calling on all stakeholders to come down to the university and listen to our grievances. The university management does not care. Students will lead themselves and continue protesting until all our demands are met,” the leader said on Thursday morning.
Buhlungu, however, appealed for calm and explained the necessity of the evacuation. “All students must vacate university premises by no later than 17:00 on 9 October. International students must contact the international office for guidance about the evacuation. Further communication will follow regarding the phased reopening of campuses once it is deemed safe to do so. We appeal for calm, restraint, and cooperation from all members of the university community during this period,” he said.
At least seven students have been arrested in connection with public violence since the protests began on Monday. The Dikeni Magistrate’s Court released them on a warning, with their next appearance scheduled for 26 November.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said law enforcement would continue to monitor the situation closely.
The unrest at Fort Hare highlights growing tensions between students and university management, raising concerns over governance, safety, and the future of academic operations at one of South Africa’s historic institutions.
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