By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela has condemned the violent student protests at the Fort Hare University in the Eastern Cape.
Manamela briefed the media on Saturday on the state of affairs at the university.
The University has been plunged into chaos as violent student protests, arson attacks and police clashes shut down both campuses.
The damage is estimated at between R250-million and R500-million.
Student leaders are demanding the immediate resignation of Vice-Chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, and accuse management of being illegitimate, governing poorly and ignoring democratic demands.
Buhlungu was appointed in 2017. He was confirmed for a second term in 2021. Recently, there have been reports that the council secretly extended his contract until 2027.
The historic institution has been forced to close all operations at its Alice and East London campuses after protests spiralled into chaos since Monday, 6 October 2025.
In a press briefing on Saturday, Manamela said his department is working closely with police, the Eastern Cape government, and university management to restore calm and ensure the safe reopening of the institution.
Manamela labelled the protests as criminal act. It destroys opportunity, erodes confidence, and undermines the dreams of thousands of young people who look to education as their only chance for a better life,” Manamela said.
“We are working closely with the police, the Eastern Cape government, and the university’s security teams to restore calm and protect students and staff. I commend the Premier and his team for their swift efforts to stabilise the situation”.
He added that the university has been directed to put in place all necessary measures to reopen safely, including temporary online learning options where needed. Teaching and learning is expected to resume next week.
“I’ve directed the University Council and management to put in place all necessary measures to reopen the institution safely and allow teaching and learning to continue, including temporary online modalities where required”.
Manamela said he had also instructed the University Council to reflect on several critical issues, including governance and leadership, the role and status of the SRC, institutional culture, concerns about the Vice-Chancellor’s contract, and the in-sourcing of workers.
A ministerial team led by Professor Ahmed Bawa has been engaging students, staff, and other stakeholders over recent days. Their feedback will shape the next phase of government intervention.
In the coming week, I will respond in greater detail to the feedback received from the ministerial team,” the minister said.
He emphasized that rebuilding Fort Hare requires more than just bricks and budget. It needs integrity, compassion, and shared commitment to the university’s founding purposes of advancing knowledge and liberating the human spirit.
The minister also noted persisting violence throughout the post-school education and training system, reflecting broader societal issues.
At the University of the Free State, students have been protesting on both their Bloemfontein and QwaQwa campuses, resulting in 17 arrests. Two students were arrested for attempting to throw a petrol bomb at a security cubicle.