Fort Hare shutdown: Student leaders vow to defy eviction order amidst governance crisis

Disgruntled student leaders at the University of Fort Hare’s (UFH) Alice campus have vowed to defy an order to evict the premises following intense protests that have led to the campus' indefinite shutdown.

The main campus, located in Dikeni in the Eastern Cape, was closed after students clashed with police over a range of issues, including what students have labelled a governance crisis within the institution.

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Hundreds of students were seen pulling heavily loaded luggage bags and leaving the main campus for the nearby taxi rank and bus stops, with those remaining given a deadline of 5pm to vacate the campus.

However, leaders from at least eight student organisations have released a two-page letter instructing students to stay put while they attempt to resolve the impasse with management.

The organisations, which include the South African Students Congress (SASCO), the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC), and the Congress of the People (COPE) student structures, deny being party to the disruptions.

Instead, the groups accuse university management of using "brute force" during a heated exchange with students that happened yesterday (Wednesday).

In a move to legally challenge the eviction, some former Student Representative Council (SRC) members are currently on calls with lawyers seeking help to interdict the eviction notice issued to students.

For now, the situation remains calm. Several police vans and Nyalas (armoured vehicles) are keeping a close watch on the campus.

Some students who have been evicted have been left stranded following a tense standoff at the campus.

“We are far from home, we don’t even have money, and our parents can’t raise that money at this particular time. That’s why we are panicking. There is no other statement other than that we must evacuate before 5pm so we don’t know what’s going to happen next.

“I don’t have a plan for now, and also I have told my parents, but still they don’t have money.”