University of Fort Hare students in the Eastern Cape have raised concerns about their safety. This follows a student protest at Alice and East London campuses, which entered its third day on Wednesday.

Students want the institution to allow them to hold SRC elections within this month.

The protests have led to the hospitalisation of students after being injured during a confrontation with police.

Student and former SRC member at the university, Lwazi Khalakahla, has condemned the institution for sending police who shot at students with live ammunition and throwing teargas at their residences.

“The university council, as well as the Vice Chancellor, instead of coming down to students, sent firstly police who came and shot at students. Then, to some extent, they even went to residences, throwing teargas inside residences where female students are staying. Where even female students, pregnant students, were jumping off the windows. I’m now told that close to five students were shot by live ammunition, the other one is allegedly transferred, I’m going to go confirm that in East London for further operation because she sustained a very bad injury.”

STATEMENT OF THE ANC YOUTH LEAGUE IN THE EASTERN CAPE ON THE ONGOING PROTEST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE.#ANCYLAtWork pic.twitter.com/EZyoTToEu4

— ANCYL Eastern Cape (@EC_ANCYL) October 8, 2025

 University of Fort Hare shuts down operations amid protests – Abongile Jantjies reports

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Former SRC president at the University of Fort Hare says students are not responsible for torching the buildings, but the arson was orchestrated by external forces to either discredit the student movement or destabilise the institution. pic.twitter.com/UgdbgC0TZ1

— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 9, 2025