The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education will visit the University of Fort Hare in the Eastern Cape on 21 October 2025, following recent student protests.
The demonstrations destroyed university infrastructure valued between R250 million and R500 million.
STUDENT PROTESTS DEMAND DEMOCRATIC SRC ELECTIONS
Students at the University of Fort Hare took to the streets on the week of the 6th of October 2025.
They demanded democratic Student Representative Council (SRC) elections after the university appointed an interim SRC.
The students argued that the appointment was unlawful and undemocratic.
They also called for the resignation of the Vice Chancellor, Sakhela Buhlungu, after the university extended their contract, which was coming to an end.
Protesters said the extension violated higher education governance norms.
UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE PROTESTS TURN VIOLENT
The demonstrations escalated, with students clashing against campus security and police officers.
Reports suggest live ammunition was present, leaving two students injured, one in critical condition.
The protests caused fires at the administration, agriculture, and staff centres on the Alice campus.
Additionally, the education building at the East London campus was torched.
“The violent student unrest could have been avoided if the university management had engaged with students and allowed the Student Representative Council (SRC) elections to take place as requested. Instead, the university management decided to appoint an Interim SRC after the term of the elected SRC expired. The destruction was severe and affected critical infrastructure, including academic records,” said the committee’s Chairperson, Tebogo Letsie.
Letsie also said the damage will affect the university’s operations, including the verification of student academic records.
PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE HIGHER EDUCATION RESPONSE
The committee will oversee the Alice campus to identify the root causes of the unrest.
It hopes university officials and student representatives will find a middle ground.
Letsie said the visit aims to help the parties implement lasting solutions.
UNIVERSITY TO RESUME TEACHING ONLINE
For safety, the university suspended operations on 8 October 2025.
During this period, classes will continue online.
The university said protecting staff, students, and the 2025 academic calendar remains the top priority.
The university’s Management Executive Committee and Emergency Management Task Team have set up an intergrated recovery plan.
The plan provides a roadmap for the continuation of teaching, learning, student affairs, properties and other services.
Furthermore, university officials are engaging with student representatives and hope to resume blended learning from 27 October 2025.
