Eight arrested as Fort Hare shuts down following violent campus protests
Police have arrested eight people for public violence and business burglary after demonstrations escalated at the University of Fort Hare earlier this week.
University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhele Buhlungu has also announced the temporary closure of both the Alice and East London campuses following violent student protests that have left several buildings damaged or destroyed in Alice.
According to police spokesperson Siphokazi Mawisa, the suspects, aged between 22 and 33, appeared briefly in the Alice Magistrate’s Court and will return on 26 November.
She says one student was injured after “jumping over a bridge during the protest,” while four security officers who were held hostage were rescued unharmed.
Police say the situation remains tense but under control, with visibility strengthened on campus.
Officers also used rubber bullets to disperse protesters after the Administration Block, Student Centre, Auditorium, and HIV Centre were set alight on Wednesday. No arrests have yet been made for arson or malicious property damage.
In a statement, the university said at least six major buildings had been destroyed despite a Bhisho High Court order prohibiting intimidation and violence on campus.
Management said the decision to suspend all physical academic activity was necessary “to safeguard lives and prevent further destruction.”
Vice-Chancellor Buhlungu has ordered all students to vacate university premises by 17h00 on Thursday, describing the unrest as “sponsored violence and criminality.” Online learning will continue where possible.
Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has condemned the violence, calling it “profoundly saddening” and warning that the destruction could “set back the university’s infrastructure development by another ten years.”
Mabuyane has engaged Deputy Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela, who is expected to brief the media in Pretoria about stabilisation efforts on Saturday.
The premier has also called on religious leaders and MECs to help restore calm and open dialogue with stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the EFF Youth Council has claimed the protest stems from poor governance, unsafe residences, and the alleged victimisation of student leaders — claims the university has not directly addressed.
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