In a powerful show of solidarity, current and former university vice-chancellors have thrown their full support behind Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Fort Hare, lauding his “incredible courage” in fighting corruption and decrying the violent campaign to oust him.
The academic leaders issued a stark warning: forcing Buhlungu out would not only cripple Fort Hare but would “undermine the rule of law” at universities across South Africa, setting a dangerous precedent that destruction and intimidation are viable political strategies.
The statement comes in the wake of devastating arson attacks that caused an estimated R500-million in damage to the university’s core infrastructure. The assailants targeted newly renovated buildings, including state-of-the-art agriculture laboratories, a student clinic, and critical administrative offices housing academic and personnel records.
A Target for Cleaning Up Corruption
The vice-chancellors directly linked the violence to Buhlungu’s unwavering anti-corruption campaign. Since his appointment, he has boldly called for SIU investigations that have uncovered widespread academic and financial fraud, leading to several prosecutions.
“His task is to address systemic neglect and maladministration at Fort Hare — a key institution in the history of black university education,” the statement read, noting that his efforts have “exposed the university to political pressure” from implicated individuals with “significant political influence.”
Buhlungu’s tenure has been marked by relentless opposition, from violent disruptions of academic programs at his inauguration to an attempted murder on his life and malicious smear campaigns.
A Battle for the Soul of an Institution
The leaders framed the struggle at Fort Hare as a microcosm of a larger national battle. They emphasized that successful anti-corruption campaigns require political protection for those leading them, and effective prosecution of the guilty.
“Any premature termination of Buhlungu’s tenure would have repercussions beyond the University of Fort Hare,” they argued. The destruction not only represents a massive financial loss but also a direct assault on South Africa’s heritage, as Fort Hare is the custodian of invaluable liberation movement archives and apartheid-era art.
The statement ends with an unequivocal endorsement of Buhlungu’s “principled and courageous leadership” and a call to the state to ensure the university is shielded from violence and that the perpetrators are brought to justice. The stand at Fort Hare, they make clear, is a stand for the future of South African institutions.
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