Protests continue at Fort Hare University despite student arrests

Protests persist at Fort Hare University in the Eastern Cape following the arrest of two students for public violence. Allegedly, the students hurled objects at moving vehicles outside the Alice Campus and tried to set one ablaze. They are scheduled to face Alice Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has warned that acts of public violence and property destruction will not be accepted.

Police spokesperson Majola Nkohli stated that a stern warning has been issued to the student body, and if more incidents arise, SAPS will resort to section 48 of the Criminal Procedure Act, which permits entry onto campus for further arrests.

The university’s classes have been suspended due to ongoing student demonstrations. On Tuesday, students blocked access to the Alice campus, demanding an action plan from authorities to tackle infrastructure issues in student residences. Students expressed dissatisfaction with the university's repeated promises to address these problems over the years.

In response, they staged a protest, highlighting the desperate condition of the residences, with leaking roofs and inadequate sanitation systems that produce foul odors. SRC member Sinovuyo Ngqwangi lamented, "Students were really not happy with the answers, as they had heard the same excuses year after year. We brought up the matter of our residences, and the university provided dates only for next year.

This only fueled their anger." Classes are currently suspended as students continue their call for action.