{"id":839464,"date":"2025-10-09T11:10:04","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T09:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=839464"},"modified":"2025-10-09T11:59:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T09:59:22","slug":"prominent-south-african-university-shuts-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/839464\/prominent-south-african-university-shuts-down\/","title":{"rendered":"Prominent South African university shuts down"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The University of Fort Hare (UFH) has announced the immediate suspension of all operations across its campuses following a wave of violent protests and arson attacks at its Alice campus in the Eastern Cape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision, communicated in an official statement on October 8, 2025, comes after multiple buildings, including lecture halls, a library, and administrative centre, were set alight, causing damages estimated between R250 million and R500 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two students from the university are in hospital after sustaining injuries in clashes with the police, following the torching of an administrative building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The unrest was reportedly sparked by disputes over Student Representative Council (SRC) elections and demands for the removal of Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protesters began engaging in acts of vandalism and arson on Tuesday night, prompting the university to halt all in-person academic and administrative activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The institution has instructed students to vacate all campuses by 17:00 today, October 9, 2025, saying that it is prioritising the safety of its community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In its statement, the university condemned the violence, describing the destruction as a severe setback to its academic mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe University of Fort Hare has been forced to suspend all operations due to the reckless and dangerous actions of a few individuals,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are committed to resuming normal activities as soon as it is safe to do so, but for now, the protection of our students, staff, and infrastructure is paramount.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This follows an earlier announcement on October 7, when the university temporarily shifted to online teaching due to initial protests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the escalating violence has now led to a full shutdown, with no immediate timeline for reopening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The university said it is working with law enforcement to investigate the incidents and ensure accountability for those responsible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The financial toll of the damages, already estimated at a quarter to half a billion rand, adds to the institution\u2019s challenges, as it grapples with restoring critical infrastructure like lecture halls and library resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela said he had requested a de-escalation plan from the university to ensure the protection of lives and campus infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EFF MP Sihle Lonzi, who sits on the Higher Education portfolio committee, has called on government ot step in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe destruction at the University of Fort Hare will cost billions. The arrogance of Management has allowed third forces to drive anarchy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fort Hare, one of South Africa\u2019s historic institutions, has faced similar protests in recent years, often tied to governance disputes and student demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UFH currently enrolls approximately 13,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students across its two main campuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded in 1916 as one of the nation\u2019s oldest institutions of higher learning, UFH was initially established as a missionary college to provide Western-style education to Black Africans before evolving into a fully independent university in 1970.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alumni include Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe, and Govan Mbeki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n