GQEBERHA - The University of Fort Hare has suspended campus activities with immediate effect on Wednesday, following multiple fires on campus.
Firefighters and UFH campus protection services are working to contain blazes.
A statement released by the University read, "Earlier this evening, multiple acts of arson were perpetrated on our Alice campus, including petrol-bomb attacks on the Main Administrative Building, the Student Affairs Building, the Agriculture building and a newly built campus clinic scheduled to open later this month."
"At the time of issuing this statement, no injuries or loss of life have been reported."
"Preliminary estimates place damage between R250 million – R500 million. A detailed assessment will be undertaken by the University," the statement read.
Protests erupted after the university announced plans to appoint an interim SRC during amendments to the student governance constitution.
Students are also calling for Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu's removal.
"The institution remains committed to restoring normal operations as soon as the security situation allows. The latest developments, including the large-scale destruction of property, indicate that we are dealing with much bigger issues, with a significant component of sponsored violence and criminality," JP Roodt, UFH Director of Marketing and Communication said.
Students have been instructed to leave University premises by 17:00 on 09 October 2025.