‘We condemn it in the strongest terms’: Manamela reacts to Fort Hare University unrest
The unrest at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) has sparked widespread condemnation from both government and parliamentary authorities, following violent protests that have halted academic programmes and resulted in significant property damage by fire.
The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, described the situation as deeply concerning and called for calm.
“I have had a discussion with student representatives and implored them to de-escalate the situation at the university and ensure that all protest action is peaceful and provide leadership that protects both lives and university property,” he said.
Manamela also confirmed that a Ministerial and Departmental team, led by Professor Ahmed Bawa, is on the ground engaging university management, student leaders, unions, and Institutional Forums to help stabilise the situation.
“We remain concerned about the destruction of property and acts of violence and condemn in the strongest terms actions that rob future generations of learning opportunities and divert scarce resources from improving the quality of education in our country,” he added.
The minister welcomed the deployment of community and church leaders by the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Honourable Oscar Mabuyane, and stressed the importance of proportionate law enforcement.
“I implore all students and stakeholders to refrain from violence, intimidation, and damage to property. Let us protect the University of Fort Hare’s proud legacy through dialogue, discipline, and collective responsibility,” he said.
The unrest, which included the burning of the university’s entire administration building on Wednesday, also drew the attention of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and the Creative Industries.
Chairperson Makhi Feni described the protests as deliberate and deeply troubling.
“The actions of burning public benefit institutions for no apparent reason sets back poor students, and university infrastructure development by years. In this age, where we are talking about lack of accommodation challenges despite government efforts, students resort to this kind of behaviour. This is unacceptable,” he said.
Feni condemned the level of vandalism and expressed disappointment at the regression of UFH’s reputation.
“We are disappointed by the level of vandalism that seems to be happening down there in UFH. It is said that we had thought the university had successfully shaken its tag of being the most infamous and violent institution,” he said.
The committee highlighted that the protests, reportedly sparked by demands for student representation through the SRC, were ill-timed and counterproductive.
“It is unfortunate that we find ourselves regressing when the university has improved on so many aspects including research output, governance, programme offerings and many more. Universities are places to grow and be intellectually empowered, the (UFH) students have sadly opted to be an anti-thesis of that,” Feni added.
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