University of Fort Hare faces two-year recovery after violent protests
University of Fort Hare students protested by setting administration buildings on fire
Image: SCREENSHOT
It could take up to two years for the University of Fort Hare (UFH) to repair the damage caused by this week’s violent protests that left parts of its Alice and East London campuses in ruins.
Calm has since returned after days of unrest that began on Monday, when students blocked roads, burned tyres and clashed with security personnel.
University buildings were also set alight.
This caused management to suspend operations and instruct students to vacate residences by 5pm on Thursday.
University spokesperson JP Roodt told IOL that despite the devastation, no lives were lost.
“Despite the devastating blazes, no fatal injuries or deaths were recorded: staff, students and service providers are safe,” he said.
He said the estimated damages were in the region of R250m to R500m.
He said full restoration was expected to take up to two years.
Students protested due to a laundry list of demands.
It included, among other things, the immediate resignation of vice-chancellor Prof Sakhela Buhlungu.
They accused him of corruption and overstaying his tenure after the alleged unlawful extension of his term past retirement age.
They also wanted suspended students and workers reinstated, permanent jobs for local community members, and the replacement of what they called “incompetent” management.
Among the facilities set alight were the main administration block, which housed examination papers, and the HR department offices.
Roodt said: “[The] arson attacks were deliberate, strategically planned and may have involved capturing and involving members of the university’s student leadership structure and their followers.”
He described the events as “sponsored anarchy to destabilise the institution”.
Earlier this week, the Bhisho High Court granted an interdict against 10 students accused of fuelling unrest at the university.
The order prohibits them from entering campus or disrupting activities.
The respondents must return to court on October 21 to explain why the order should not be made final.
Roodt said the violence followed a police crime intelligence briefing to Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu and Eastern Cape transport and community safety MEC Xolile Nqatha “on sponsored anarchy to destabilise the institution”.
“Despite this, the violence was too extreme and UFH protection services, public order police and private sector security were overwhelmed,” he said.
He said the university has begun executing a crisis-recovery plan.
He said the plan prioritises trauma counselling for staff and students and provides continuity for teaching and learning.
Roodt also accused “disgraced former student leaders whose terms expired on September 30” of calling for and inciting violence on social media, violating a court order.
He said they also falsely blamed UFH management and the police for starting the fires.
He said “certain unions whose members do not meet the qualification requirements under the university’s organisational redesign” were also involved.
“The university’s position on the devastating events is clear,” Roodt said.
“The terror-style attacks were coordinated and deliberate sponsored anarchy.
"It was a declaration against progress, renewal and the many improvements brought about by our council, senior management and our staff.”
Roodt said the university has asked the cooperative governance and traditional affairs ministry to respond to Buhlungu’s letter about a Raymond Mhlaba councillor.
The councillor allegedly led an unlawful strike two weeks ago with taxis blockading entrances at the Alice campus.
Eight students arrested during the protests have already appeared in the Alice Magistrate’s Court.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said they were released on warning.
Police spokeswoman Lt-Col Siphokazi Mawisa said they will appear in court again on November 26.
IOL News