University of Fort Hare secures court interdict against protesting students

The University of Fort Hare has secured an interim interdict against ten students accused of fuelling unrest at its Alice and East London campuses.

The Bhisho High Court order bars them from organising protests, disrupting classes or intimidating others as demonstrations continue to grip the institution.

Students have burned tyres, blocked roads and the staff centre in Alice was torched.

The protests began on Monday.

Students are demanding the immediate resignation of vice-chancellor Prof Sakhela Buhlungu, accusing him of corruption and overstaying his tenure after the alleged unlawful extension of his term past retirement age.

They also want suspended students and workers reinstated, permanent jobs for local community members, and the replacement of what they call “incompetent” management.

“The respondents (students) are interdicted and restrained from participating in, encouraging, facilitating and/or promoting any unlawful activities within the University of Fort Hare’s premises,” the court order, issued on Wednesday, reads.

The respondents must appear before the court on October 21 to explain why the order should not be made final.

Eight students arrested during the protests have already appeared in the Alice Magistrate’s Court.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said they were released on warning.

Police spokeswoman Lt-Col Siphokazi Mawisa said they will appear in court again on November 26.

University spokesperson JP Roodt told IOL that preliminary estimates placed damage between R250m and R500m.

“A detailed assessment is now underway by the university,” he said.

“Given the escalation of violence on the Alice campus, it is no longer safe for students and staff to live, work or learn on campus. Accordingly, the university suspended campus activities with immediate effect, and students have been asked to vacate residences.”

Roodt said all students must vacate university premises by 5pm on Thursday.

“The institution remains committed to restoring normal operations as soon as the security situation allows.

"The latest developments, including the large-scale destruction of property, indicate that we are dealing with much bigger issues, with a significant component of sponsored violence and criminality,” he said. 

Mawisa said police intensified high visibility at the university and that one student sustained injuries after jumping over a bridge on Tuesday.

Parliament, meanwhile, condemned the protests.

The education, sciences and the creative industries portfolio committee said it appears as though it was "orchestrated".

Chair Makhi Feni said: “The actions of burning public benefit institutions for no apparent reason set back poor students and university infrastructure development by years.

"In this age, where we are talking about lack of accommodation challenges despite government efforts, students resort to this kind of behaviour. This is unacceptable.”

Cape Times