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Former vice-chancellors have rallied behind Fort Hare vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu after violent protests and arson caused an estimated R500 million in damage.
Sithandiwe Velaphi/News24
- Violent protests and arson at the University of Fort Hare caused damage estimated at R500 million.
- Former vice-chancellors defended current vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, citing his anti-corruption efforts and determination to tackle systemic neglect.
- The group urged state bodies to protect Buhlungu and the university from further violence, saying yielding to intimidation would set a dangerous precedent.
A coalition of former vice-chancellors has united in support of University of Fort Hare vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu following violent protests and arson that caused the institution an estimated R500 million in damages.
The academics cautioned that failing to protect Buhlungu and the university could set a dangerous precedent, undermining the rule of law in universities across South Africa.
At the beginning of October, several buildings, including state-of-the-art laboratories, a new student clinic, and a recently upgraded staff centre, were set alight in student protests calling for Buhlungu’s removal.
The arson also caused damage to vital administrative infrastructure, including academic records and personnel files.
The group – including Saleem Badat, Barney Pityana, Jonathan Jansen, Malegapuru Makgoba, Brian Fijagi, Yunus Ballim, Tyrone Pretorius, Wim de Villiers, and Max Price – came forward to defend Buhlungu, stating that he has been making concerted efforts to root out corruption at the university.
READ | Fort Hare VC refuses to quit as R500m protest damage rocks university
They said there were actors and people who, for “good reasons, fear his [Buhlungu] principled and dogged determination to clean up Fort Hare”.
“His task is to address systemic neglect and maladministration at Fort Hare – a critical university in the history of black university education,” the statement read.
They further said:
He led a necessary process of renewal at Fort Hare, purposefully tackling corruption, mismanagement, and maladministration at the institution.
The group said Buhlungu’s efforts have earned the respect and admiration of many who desire an end to “the impunity and brazen thievery that are destroying the social fabric of our institutions and society”.
The vice-chancellors commended Buhlungu for involving President Cyril Ramaphosa in commissioning investigations by the Special Investigating Unit into corruption at the university, which have exposed both academic and financial fraud.
READ | MKP wants Fort Hare to be placed under administration after R500m loss in violent protests
This has resulted in several people facing prosecution.
“Some of those implicated in the cases are individuals with significant political influence, which has exposed the university to political pressure and conflicts of interest,” they stated.
“Research on successful anti-corruption campaigns shows that they only succeed when there is political protection for those who expose and resolutely tackle corruption, alongside effective prosecution of those involved.”
Protests demanding Buhlungu’s removal were first held on his 65th birthday, 12 September, and escalated into violence last week.
News24 previously reported that Buhlungu – who has been the university’s accounting officer since February 2017 – had his term extended in 2021 after it was decided that he would serve in the role until reaching the age of 65.
In June last year, the council recommended extending his term by 16 months upon reaching retirement age.
Student leaders claimed the council’s decision to extend the term beyond the retirement age was unlawful, an allegation the council has denied.
The group of chancellors, however, stated that, ever since Buhlungu’s appointment, efforts have been made to violently disrupt the university’s academic programmes and operations.
They said calls for his resignation were even made during his inauguration.
They said:
The scale of the destruction at Fort Hare is extraordinary. Additionally, Buhlungu has survived an attempted assassination and been the target of malicious rumours aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
“In our view, any premature termination of Prof Buhlungu’s tenure would have consequences beyond the University of Fort Hare, undermining the rule of law at universities in particular, and across the country more broadly.”
“It would set a precedent that destruction and intimidation can succeed as political strategies,” they added, urging the relevant arms of the state to fulfil their role in protecting the university from threats, violence, and arson.
