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The University of Fort Hare (UFH) estimates damages of up to R500 million after a wave of arson attacks this week left several key buildings in ruins. Calm has since returned to both the Alice and East London campuses after management suspended operations and ordered students to vacate residences on Thursday.
What Happened
University spokesperson JP Roodt confirmed that while no lives were lost, the fires destroyed major facilities including the Main Administration Block, which housed examination papers, and the Human Resources offices containing staff records. UFH has launched a crisis-recovery plan focusing on trauma counselling and ensuring academic continuity.
Official Response
Roodt said intelligence briefings to Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu and Eastern Cape MEC for Transport and Community Safety Xolile Nqatha revealed credible evidence that the arson attacks were externally sponsored and strategically coordinated to destabilise the institution.
“These terror-style attacks were deliberate and may have involved capturing elements of the student leadership structure,” he said.
The university warned against political opportunism, alleging that certain former student leaders and union representatives are exploiting the crisis for personal or political gain. UFH also called on COGTA to act on a complaint involving a Raymond Mhlaba Municipality councillor accused of leading an unlawful strike with a former SRC president.
Community Impact
UFH said the damage represents not only a financial loss but a setback to years of governance and renewal at the historic institution.
“These attacks were a declaration against progress and the improvements achieved under our Council — including research, governance, and financial stability,” said Roodt.
The Department of Higher Education and Training is expected to brief the media on Saturday regarding stabilisation efforts and security measures to prevent further incidents.
