South Africa's Portfolio Committee on Higher Education has condemned the University of Fort Hare's management for governance failures following violent student protests that caused R300 million in damage. The committee highlighted issues like unconsulted contract extensions and neglected student facilities during an oversight visit. Officials admitted procedural errors amid calls for accountability.
On October 21, 2025, the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education visited the University of Fort Hare in Alice, Eastern Cape, in response to violent protests earlier that month. The unrest led to an estimated R300 million in damages, including the arson of the administration building, which destroyed records of past students and 2025 exam papers, and the gutting of a newly built clinic.
The committee described the institution as suffering from 'collapsing governance.' Key concerns included the university council's failure to consult the Institutional Forum (IF) before extending Vice-Chancellor Prof Sakhela Buhlungu's contract, despite him reaching retirement age of 65 during the term. Interim deputy chairperson Judy Favish explained that the council interpreted the post-retirement policy to allow a 16-month extension to complete his five-year term, but noted they are now seeking an independent legal opinion on its validity.
Committee chairperson MP Tebogo Letsie (ANC) criticized the council for self-interpreting the policy and not engaging the IF or students, arguing this could have prevented the protests. He questioned why such consultations were overlooked.
Student representatives, including former SRC secretary-general Odwa Msaro and acting president Asonele Magwaxaza, reported no SRC elections this year and that management appointed an interim SRC without student input. They also revealed the SRC received no budget from the year's start; promises of allocation fell through by March due to misallocation.
Deputy chair MP Mnqobi Msezane (MK) pressed acting dean of students Prof Priscilla Monyai on the suspension of SRC president Lwazi Khalakhala and deputy Luzuko Mnase. Monyai conceded the university erred by not consulting the SRC.
During the inspection of student residences in Dikeni (formerly Alice), the committee found severe issues: plumbing failures, non-functional geysers and stoves, students washing in plastic basins, cracked walls, and broken windows covered in cardboard. Chief financial officer Charles Matumba stated R40.5 million was spent on residence maintenance in 2024, but Letsie remarked, 'We have not seen [any sign of] the R40-million [being spent] there.'
The university plans to resume academics soon, with exams potentially postponed to early December to address the disruptions.