140 Organisations Unite to Defend Democracy and Safeguard Fort Hare

Civil society stands together to safeguard historic University of Fort Hare

27 October 2025 (immediate release) - 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: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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

Megan Bryer

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

Prof Joseph Diescho

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

Mark Heywood

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

NomaSwazi Sibanyoni

Pumza Siqiti

Diane Steyn

Ibrahim Steyn

Rev Alan Storey

James Taylor

Lindiwe Tukane

Shereen Usdin

Inge van Reenen

Siphendulwe Vela

Zukiswa Vuka

Fiona Wallace

Shirley Walters

Matthew Weaver

Tim Wilson

Nanette Yeld

Nimrod Zalk

Prof. Gordon Ndodomzi Zide