The University of Fort Hare’s long‑running governance turmoil escalated sharply on Sunday when Vice‑Chancellor and Principal Professor Sakhela Buhlungu resigned “with immediate effect”, and then publicly rebuked Council Chairperson Dr Siyanda Makaula for attempting to reject his resignation.
In a dramatic exchange that has further exposed fractures within the institution’s leadership, in particular a divided council, Buhlungu insisted that his resignation was valid and binding, accusing the council chair of misinterpreting university policy and acting irrationally.
A resignation — and an attempted reversal
Buhlungu resigned on Sunday after nearly six months on precautionary suspension, first reported on in ednews.africa, saying his relationship with the university council had “broken down irretrievably”.
The suspension, imposed on 30 March 2026, stemmed from alleged procedural irregularities in the appointment of two executive directors, a matter that had spiralled into a protracted disciplinary process.
But within hours of receiving the resignation, Makaula wrote to Buhlungu informing him that the resignation “does not stand”, citing a supposed three‑month notice period under the university’s employee relations policy.
Buhlungu’s response was scathing.
“This is embarrassing”: VC rebukes council chair
In a letter seen by ednews.africa, Buhlungu dismantled Makaula’s reasoning, saying the chair had relied on a policy clause that does not exist.
“Your letter is anchored on the provisions of the employee relations policy without referring me to any specific clause therein which speaks to the main issue — the three‑month notice period; however, the policy in question does not make provision for a three‑month notice period at all.”
He went further, questioning the clueless chairperson’s grasp of university policy:
“As you know, the Council of any university is the custodian of its policies… Society and the University Community expect the Chairperson of Council to know the policies of the University, more so one that the Chairperson seeks to rely on in official communication. This is not the case here, clearly. Whilst I am embarrassed to say this, I say it with respect.”
To underscore his point, Buhlungu attached the employee relations policy, his appointment letter and subsequent renewals. all of which, he said, contradict the chair’s claim.
He concluded bluntly:
“My resignation stands.”
A turbulent tenure ends in confrontation
Buhlungu’s departure brings to an end a turbulent chapter in Fort Hare’s recent history. Since his appointment in 2017, he became the face of an anti‑corruption drive that exposed procurement irregularities, governance failures and criminal networks allegedly operating within the institution. His tenure was marked by SIU investigations, violent intimidation, and the murders of individuals linked to corruption probes.
Supporters hailed him as a reformer confronting entrenched interests. Critics accused him of governance lapses and deepening tensions with council.
Council divisions laid bare
The VC’s suspension in March exposed widening rifts within council. In April, senior council members Professor Judy Favish and Kuselwa Marala warned of a “governance crisis”, citing procedural irregularities, contested authority and escalating factionalism.
They argued that the disciplinary process against Buhlungu had been mishandled and that council was divided over whether suspension was justified, especially given that Buhlungu had disclosed the appointment issue himself and initiated corrective steps.
Their concerns foreshadowed the current breakdown.
Leadership instability continues
Buhlungu’s resignation adds to a string of leadership disruptions at Fort Hare, including disciplinary actions against senior officials, contested council decisions and ongoing investigations. Acting leadership arrangements have become the norm as the institution struggles to maintain stability under a poorly-led, weak council.
Staff, students and higher education observers warn that the governance turmoil is undermining academic focus and institutional credibility.
Unanswered questions
With the disciplinary process unresolved and no final findings released, Buhlungu’s resignation leaves key questions hanging:
Will the disciplinary process continue or collapse?
How will council manage the leadership vacuum?
What becomes of the governance reform agenda associated with Buhlungu’s tenure?
Can Fort Hare restore stability after years of internal conflict?
In his farewell remarks, Buhlungu said:
“I am sad to part ways in this way with an institution that I have served diligently and selflessly for nearly ten years. But I remain proud of the contribution that I, together with countless others, have made, often against insurmountable odds.”
Fort Hare did not respond to questions about the attempted rejection of the resignation or the next steps in stabilising leadership nor its search for a new vice-chancellor, on which many critics say the job description was deliberately “dumbed-down”.
What is clear is that the governance crisis has entered a new phase, one defined not only by disciplinary battles and factional tensions, but now by a public confrontation over policy, authority and institutional competence.
©Higher Education Media Services.