Fort Hare Students Demand Vice Chancellor Step Down Amid Campus Crisis
Student leaders at the University of Fort Hare’s Alice campus have renewed calls for Vice Chancellor Sakhela Buhlungu to step down, citing unresolved governance issues.
The demands follow a protest on Wednesday during which two campus buildings were set on fire, prompting university management to issue an eviction notice for the main campus. The deadline for compliance was set at 5pm.
Most students have chosen to comply with the eviction order, despite instructions from student leaders to remain on campus.
A smaller group of defiant students has gathered in a single location, prepared to face potential consequences.
Campus security has warned that door-to-door inspections could be conducted to remove those who refuse to leave.
Earlier on Thursday, former student leaders from various organisations held a virtual meeting with a Department of Higher Education and Training official in an attempt to resolve the standoff.
Student leaders, however, say their only demand is for Buhlungu to resign. They expect the department to provide a proposed way forward within the next two days.
Police vans remain stationed at the main entrance, maintaining a visible presence as tensions continue. The situation remains fluid, and it is unclear how events will unfold in the coming hours.