Image: Wikimedia Commons
Following the recent harrowing destruction and arson at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), over 30 organisations based in the Eastern Cape, and over 140 organisations and individuals across the country, have come together to reclaim and safeguard this historic institution, and call for democratic values to be restored and upheld.
These organisations and individuals are deeply committed to the renewal of the Eastern Cape province, to building transparent and accountable institutions, strengthening responsive and ethical governance, and nurturing an active citizenry in line with the values of South Africa’s Constitution.
What has unfolded at UFH is deeply disturbing. For several years, the university’s community, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, has been engaged in an arduous and courageous process of renewal, tackling entrenched corruption, rebuilding systems, and restoring integrity to one of South Africa’s most historic institutions.
The recent destruction and arson at UFH wiped out millions of rands of investment including a brand new student health clinic, staff centre and refurbished laboratories. We are gravely concerned that criminal networks are attempting to destabilise this public institution to protect corrupt interests. Such actions are not only attacks on the university, but attacks on South Africa’s democracy and constitutional order.
It is particularly alarming that these violent incidents have emerged as the Special Investigating Unit’s reports probing corruption at Fort Hare are proceeding to prosecution. The possibility that these acts represent sabotage or retaliation against ongoing anti-corruption efforts is deeply troubling.
At the same time, we recognise the legitimate right of students to raise their concerns, organise, and undertake peaceful protest, rights that are enshrined in our Constitution and essential to democracy.
We call for calm, reflection, and dialogue, and urge all parties to engage in a solution-oriented process that strengthens the institution rather than tears it apart.
We call for a full and transparent investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the acts of arson and violence, and for accountability at every level.
We call on the university leadership to extend an olive branch to all members of the university community, students, staff, and management alike, to work together towards an effective, institutionalised process for engagement and renewal.
We call on broader Eastern Cape communities to stand up, protect, and reclaim Fort Hare as a key public institution that belongs to all of us, and whose integrity and future must be safeguarded.
Finally, we call on the Department of Higher Education and Training, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, and all relevant state bodies to unequivocally support the ongoing fight against corruption, and ensure support and protection for the leadership driving it.
Professor Buhlungu and others have demonstrated remarkable resolve in the face of immense personal risk and sacrifice. The sustained efforts to clean up UFH, despite intimidation, violence, and loss, reflect the kind of leadership that our country so urgently needs.
We stand with all those in the Eastern Cape who are committed to honest governance and institutional renewal.
It is time for accountability to be strengthened, not undermined; for integrity to be protected, not punished.
We stand with the University of Fort Hare.
We stand for justice, renewal, honest leadership and the future of the Eastern Cape.
For more information or to arrange interviews, contact:
Clayton Morar
Email: claytonmorar@gmail.com
Phone: 074 194 1766
This statement is supported by over 50 organisations and over 100 individuals
Eastern Cape Organisations
Adelaide Advice Center
Afesis
Allan Gray Centre for Leadership Ethics, Rhodes University
Alwande Ulwazi Community Advice Center
Bizana Advice Centre
BlaqChild Development Foundation
Border Rural Committee
CALUSA
Cambridge Development Forum
CARE Alicedale
Educare Mpame
Entlango Primary Agricultural Cooperative
Equality Collective
Farmers Network South Africa
Flagstaff Paralegal Advice Office
Interchurch Local Development Agency
Khanyisa Education and Development Trust
Labour Community Media Forum (LCMF)
PHAKAMA EC Civic Movement
Phumalanga Community Development Project for the Aged
Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM)
Rising Dawn Reflections
Siyanakekela Community Development
Siyanakekela Community Development
Social Change Assistance Trust
Tyinira Rural Development Initiative
Umhlaba Yimpilo
Unemployed Peoples Movement
Vulamasang Singene
Xhalanga Civic Platform (Cala)
Zanoncedo Empowerment Centre
National Organisations
Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
Black Sash
Centre for Applied Legal Studies
Cognitive Connections ECD Forum
Corruption Watch
Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution
Defend Our Democracy
Impact4Good
Institute for Economic Justice
Institute of Training and Education for Capacity-building
Lawyers for Human rights
Legal Resources Centre (LRC)
Neil Aggett Labour Studies Unit (NALSU)
New Agenda: South African Journal of Social and Economic Policy
Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA)
Pan African Bar Association South Africa
Phambily Analytics
Rural Womens Assembly (RWA)
Trust for Community Outreach and Education
#UniteBehind
Zabalaza Pathways Institute
Individuals
Zackie Achmat
Lara Aucamp
Margaret Auerbach
Bruce Baigrie
Robert John Balfour
Prof. Chris Ballantine
Ihsaan Bassier
Umesh Bawa
Deena Bosch
Jill Bradbury
Ryan Brunette
Geoff Budlender SC
Joshua Budlender
Mary Burton
Nosicelo Buwa
Paula Cardoso
Cheryl Carolus
Prof. Emeritus Halton Cheadle
Aninka Claassens
Hugh Corder
Morna Cornell
Ben Cousins
Anele Davids
Ezra Davids
Lois Dippenaar
Paula Ensor
Gabriel Espi-Sanchis
Michael Evans
Doret Ferreira
Ilse Fischer Wilson
Dick Forslund
Litha Gcwabe
Luvuyo Gobodo
Viwe Gqwetha
Pamela Haddaf
Ian Hanson
Nick Hedley
Barbara Hogan
Rachel Holmes
Yvette Ismail
Karen Jack
Loretta Jacobus
Naseegh Jaffer
Feziwe Jaji
Lulu Johnson
Lerumo Kalako
Margaret Kiloh
Prof. G. Klerck
Lisa Komoreng (née Buwa)
Wayne Kretschmer
Prof. Premesh Lalu
Leonard le Roux
Murray Leibbrandt
Moira Levy
Kezia Lewins
Jack Lewis
Aretha Linden
Leslie London
Chumani Lungisa
Phumezo Lupuwana
Roy Maartens
Shuaib Manjra
C Martens
Likhona Mbali
Malcolm McCarthy
Dr Dale McKinley
Thobeka Mda
Sinazo Mdleleni-Babane
Murray Michell
Bongani Miza
Bongani Mizs
Prof. Nomalanga Mkhize
Nazeema Mohamed
Reno Morar
Simthembile Mvondobi
Prema Naidoo
Lwazi Ncapayi
Fani Ncapayi
Victor Ngaleka
Nosipho Ngcume
Martha Ngoye
Martin Nicol
Mercy Nqandeka Mbali Ntuli
Di Oliver
Crispian Olver
Ayesha Omar
Carilee Osborne
Taryn Pereira
Suntosh R. Pillay
Lyndal Pottier
Geordie Ractliffe
Vimal Ranchhod
Luke Reid
Amanda Rinquest
Cris Robertson Michael Rogan
Neil Roos
Eureta Rosenberg
Nicky Rousseau
PJ Schwikkard Anna Selmeczi
William Shoki
Khumo Shuenyane
Diane Steyn
Ibrahim Steyn
Rev Alan Storey
James Taylor
Lindiwe Tukane
Shereen Usdin
Inge van Reenen
Zukiswa Vuka
hendulwe Vela
Fiona Wallace Shirley Walters
Matthew Weaver
Tim Wilson
Nanette Yeld
Nimrod Zalk
Prof. Gordon Ndodomzi Zide
