Fort Hare University Shuts Down After Violent Student Protest Rocks Campus

Fort Hare University Shuts Down After Violent Student Protest Rocks Campus

The University of Fort Hare, one of South Africa’s most historic institutions, has ground to a halt. Operations were suspended on Wednesday after violent protests left parts of the Alice campus in flames, including the administration and student affairs buildings.

Videos circulating on social media show thick smoke billowing above the campus, as emergency personnel battled to contain the fires. The scenes have reignited long-simmering frustrations between students and management and once again raised tough questions about leadership, accountability, and student representation at one of the country’s oldest universities.

What Sparked the Protest?

According to the university, tensions erupted after management announced plans to appoint an interim Student Representative Council (SRC) while amendments to the student governance constitution were underway.

Students, however, saw the move as undemocratic. They accused the university of undermining student voices and called for the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Sakhela Buhlungu, who they allege has failed to address ongoing mismanagement at the institution.

“This isn’t just about the SRC. It’s about years of being ignored,” one student tweeted, capturing a sentiment echoed widely online.

University Responds: “We Had No Choice”

In a late-night statement on Wednesday, Fort Hare University management condemned the violence, saying only a small group of students were responsible for the unrest and that their actions violated an interim court order from the Bhisho High Court prohibiting such protests.

“With buildings set alight and staff threatened, the university had no option but to suspend operations,” the statement read.

Students have been ordered to vacate campus by 5pm on Thursday, as management works on a plan to restore calm and assess the damage.

Government Steps In

Higher Education Deputy Minister Buti Manamela said he has requested a de-escalation plan from the university to ensure safety and prevent further destruction.

“This situation cannot continue unchecked,” Manamela said, calling for all parties to return to the table and find a peaceful resolution.

The department has faced mounting criticism for its handling of tensions at Fort Hare where violent protests, funding frustrations, and allegations of corruption have become almost cyclical over the past decade.

A Legacy Under Fire

Fort Hare is no ordinary university. It’s an institution deeply woven into South Africa’s liberation history, the alma mater of figures like Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, and Robert Sobukwe.

But in recent years, that proud legacy has been overshadowed by turmoil. From corruption scandals and leadership battles to the high-profile assassination of university employees, Fort Hare has struggled to shake off controversy.

The latest protest only deepens the sense of crisis, a painful contradiction for a university once seen as a beacon of African intellectual freedom.

Social Media Reaction

On social media, reactions were mixed. Many sympathized with students’ frustrations over what they describe as “a culture of mismanagement,” while others condemned the destruction of university property.

“Fort Hare is burning, not just literally, but symbolically,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Another added, “We can’t fight for accountability by destroying our own institutions.”

What Happens Next?

For now, the university remains closed, and uncertainty hangs in the air for thousands of students in the middle of the academic term.

The coming days will test whether management and student leaders can rebuild trust or whether the fires that burned through Fort Hare’s campus are a sign of deeper cracks that can’t be easily repaired.

As one alumnus posted under a viral photo of the blaze:

“This place gave birth to liberation movements. It deserves better than this.”

In short: Fort Hare’s crisis is about more than just buildings and protests, it’s a reflection of the growing disconnect between students and institutions struggling to live up to their own legacies.

{Source: EWN}

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