The University of Fort Hare holds a significant place in the history of independence from colonial rule across the African continent. It counts among its alumni greats such as Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Robert Sobukwe, Oliver Tambo, and many, many others. Lately it has been riddled with corruption, including the awarding of fraudulent degrees, granting of crony tenders, the employment of ghost workers and more. The University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu has been working day and night, alongside the Special Investigations Unit, to rid the university of this rot in order to restore this great institution to its former glory. 

As a consequence, the beneficiaries of this corruption have been prepared to kill. The latest assassination attempt on Prof Buhlungu’s life cost the life of his bodyguard, Mboneli Vesele. In May 2022, Petrus Roets, the university’s fleet and transport manager, was killed. A previous assassination attempt on Prof Buhlungu and a Deputy Vice-Chancellor occurred in March 2022.

These attempts are a desperate bid to stop Prof Buhlungu and the SIU from exposing the individuals behind this corruption. We call on the President of South Africa to provide Prof Buhlungu with the visible protection he needs to eliminate the rot!

Pervasive corruption is sadly evident across the higher education sector. Prof Buhlungu's battle is thus on behalf of the whole sector, all students and future students. Please sign and share this petition to ensure that the President provides the necessary protection and so those with evil intent know that the world is watching!