EFF calls for official SAPS protection to be provided to the Vice-Chancellor of Fort Hare professor Sakhele Buhlungu following assassination attempt

10 January 2023

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) calls for the protection services of the South African Police Services (SAPS) to be provided to the Vice Chancellor of Fort Hare, Professor Sakhele Buhlungu following the gruesome assassination attempt on his life.

Professor Buhlungu experienced a second attempt on his life on Friday, 06 January 2023, which resulted in the unfortunate death of his personal protector Mr. Mboneli The tertiary sector in South Africa has become a playground for corruption, maladministration and misuse of funds which ought to alleviate the various educational and infrastructure problems confronting the sector. The University of Fort Hare has not been immune to the corruption which is prevalent in institutions of Higher Learning, and Professor Buhlungu has been a vocal anti-corruption crusader, who has stifled the ambitions of the corrupt political elite and mafia that seeks to capture institutions for the purposes of self-enrichment.

Professor Buhlungu has been at the forefront of combatting widespread corruption in all of its manifestations at the University of Fort Hare which is why criminals and thugs are attempting to kill him. Since his arrival at the institution he has led the charge against the improper awarding of post-graduate degrees and tenders relating to maintenance of the University, student accommodation and Infrastructure services.

During his relentless war on corruption, the fleet and transport manager at Fort Hare Mr. Petrus Roets was shot dead in May 2022, undoubtedly as a result of the measures put in place to curb mismanagement of procurement and tender processes.

Notably, one of the individuals who was exposed as being a benefactor of improper enrolment into post-graduate studies at Fort Hare was the Premier of the Eastern Cape Oscar Mabuyane. It is therefore unsurprising that he has not approached the matter with the necessary urgency and seriousness, including the provision of security for the Vice Chancellor and apprehension of suspects who have for a long time intimidated management at the institution.

Having seen the objective threat to the life of Professor Buhlungu, the SAPS should provide immediate protection to an individual whose life is compromised due to his service at a public institution. SAPS should be preemptive and not await any form of application to provide much needed protection to an individual who is expressing willingness to continue to uproot corruption and malfeasance at Fort Hare.

The EFF sends its condolences to the family of Mr. Mboneli Vesele and encourages Professor Buhlungu to not be deterred. We commend him for his selflessness in the face of death and applaud his commitment of protecting academia from thuggery and corruption.

Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 11 January 2023