The Department of Higher Education and Training says the damage to buildings at the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape this week is estimated to be between R300 million and R500 million.

The institution was temporarily shut down on Thursday, following violent students’ protests which resulted in the torching of six buildings.

The students’ demands include the Vice Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu’s immediate resignation. But the university says he will not resign.

Minister Buti Manamela says, “The intimidation of staff, of students, and the disruption of teaching and learning, if it cannot end, will never be justified. What has happened at Fort Hare is not a protest; it is criminal. It destroys opportunity, it erodes confidence, but it also undermines the dreams of thousands of young people who look to education as their only chance for a better life.”

[WATCH] The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, says, “Some of the violence is not even related to protests but is because institutions are being seen as business enterprises.” pic.twitter.com/BhmXm6CaUA

— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 11, 2025

The number of arrested students at the University of the Free State has risen from 9 to 17 following a protest on the two campuses in Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa.

Students went on the rampage following the university’s announcement that it would discontinue provisional registration from next year.

Nine students appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday and were granted free bail. They are facing a public violence charge.

Briefing the media on Saturday, the Minister says, “At the University of Free State, where I had this morning a very long call with the Vice Chancellor, and students have been protesting in both their Bloemfontein and QwaQwa campuses, and about 17 students have been arrested. Part of that number includes two of them who were arrested last night for having attempted to throw a petrol bomb in a cubicle that houses security. Now, this is criminality, even if these people are students. They are basically unleashing crime.”

NSFAS

Meanwhile, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has ordered the immediate halt to the eviction of students from its accredited accommodation at the University of Fort Hare. This, after several accommodation providers issued eviction notices following the university’s temporary closure.

NSFAS acting chief executive officer Waseem Carrim says students have the right to remain in their residences.