By Akani Nkuna
Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela said on Saturday that the violent incidents at the University of Fort Hare in Alice, Eastern Cape, were acts of criminality, not protest.
This follows violent demonstrations at the university’s Alice campus on Wednesday when ‘protesters’ burned several administrative and staff buildings.
The unrest stems from a range of grievances, including calls for the Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu’s resignation, delays in National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) payments, and demands for immediate student leadership elections.
Addressing the media in Hatfield, Pretoria, Manamela outlined his department’s intervention measures following the week’s events, saying the destruction of property and intimidation of staff could not be tolerated.
He also emphasised that students who allegedly committed “such atrocious acts” ought to be classified as criminals and be subjected to the full might of the law.
“This is criminality even if these people are students. They are basically unleashing crime. We need to make a distinction between people who are students and also people who are criminals. Criminals who are also in the process endangering the lives of other students,” Manamela added.
He said that his department was working closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Eastern Cape provincial government and the university’s security teams to restore calm and protect students and staff.
“A university should be a space of learning, hope and progress, not one of fear and destruction,” he said.
“The burning of buildings, the intimidation of staff, and the disruption of teaching and learning can never be justified.”
Manamela said the priority was to ensure that the academic programme resumes within the coming week.
“I met with the University Council yesterday and directed management to implement all necessary measures to reopen safely — including temporary online learning where required.”
He stressed that students must be able to complete their studies in peace and safety.
“That is non-negotiable. The university must ensure that the academic year is not put in jeopardy.”
Manamela said he had also instructed the University Council to reflect on several critical issues during its Sunday meeting, including governance and leadership, the role and status of the SRC, institutional culture, concerns about the Vice-Chancellor’s contract, and the in-sourcing of workers.
“In the coming week, I will respond in greater detail to the feedback from the ministerial team led by Professor Ahmed Bawa, which has been engaging students, staff, and other stakeholders over the past several days. Their work is central to shaping the next phase of our intervention,” he said.
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