Fort Hare University closes campuses as violent protests erupt: 'It's a historical build-up of several issues' - SASCO

The University of Fort Hare has closed its Alice and East London campuses after several days of violent protests, arson attacks, and clashes with police.

Damage to university property is estimated to be between R250 million and R500 million, and eight people have been arrested.

The unrest arises from increasing frustration among students regarding what they consider poor governance and undemocratic practices under Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu.

According to Tarik Lalah, students have long raised concerns about campus security, poor accommodation, delayed allowances, and a lack of proper support services.

"It's a historical buildup of several issues."

Lalah adds that the immediate trigger for the protests, however, was the university’s decision to suspend this year’s Student Representative Council (SRC) elections and install an interim student body.

"What effectively was the final catalyst that sparked a lot of the protests is the undemocratic decision of management to not allow for SRC elections this year but rather to appoint an interim SRC, in addition to the fact that the management wanted to amend the students' governance constitution without some sort of thorough and adequate student representation to allow for it to be democratic."

He condemns the arson and criminal acts that have accompanied the protests, stating that most students had demonstrated peacefully.

"However, we do want to mention that the majority of students have participated peacefully, and unfortunately, there have been some who have taken it in a direction that does not benefit anybody."

With exams looming, Lalah warns that the campus shutdown has displaced many students and left them feeling uncertain about their academic futures.

To listen to Tarik Lalah in conversation with Jacob Moshokoa on 702 and CapeTalk's Early Breakfast show, click on the audio below: