Fort Hare protests cause R500m damage

THE University of Fort Hare is counting the cost of a week of violent protests that left its campuses looking like war zones and caused damage estimated at up to R500 million.

- BRANDON NEL

Vice-Chancellor Prof Sakhela Buhlungu, who has been accused by some students of being too old for the job, told IOL the attacks were politically orchestrated and aimed at forcing him out so others could "plunder university resources".

"And they want me out of the hot seat," he said, "so they can take over and plunder university resources."

Students set fire to at least seven buildings, including the student affairs building - once a residence of the late former president Nelson Mandela - as well as the administration block, Faculty of Agriculture and a newly refurbished clinic. Eight students have been arrested.

Classes have been suspended, and a decision on when students can return will be made at the end of the week, Buhlungu said.

Buhlungu, who was appointed vice-chancellor in 2017 and was serving a second term, believed the protests were strategically designed to paralyse the university and tarnish its reputation.

"They were strategically chosen to disrupt operations," he said.

"The idea was to erase our legacy of renewal, to set us back, and to get me out."

The damage included destroyed offices for finance, academic administration and ICT infrastructure. The refurbishment of the clinic cost R16m to R20m.

"We're still waiting for a final assessment, but the damage is between R300m and R500m," he said.

Buhlungu said the university obtained a court interdict to stop the violence, but attacks continued before police could respond. The eight students arrested have appeared in the Alice Magistrate's Court and were released on warning. They are due back in court on November 26.

He said the attacks were linked to broader political and criminal networks.