UFH Governance Crisis Deepens as Parliament Intervenes and Council Member Resigns
Portfolio Committee demands answers from University of Fort Hare Council after the SRC alleges governance irregularities, interference in student affairs and the marginalisation of dissenting voices
The governance crisis at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) has deepened after Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education formally requested a response from the university’s Council over allegations raised by the Student Representative Council (SRC), while a serving Council member resigned with immediate effect, citing concerns over governance issues at the institution.
The latest developments follow a formal complaint submitted by the UFH SRC to Parliament on 14 August 2026. In a detailed letter, student leaders accused the university’s leadership and Council of governance irregularities, interference in student governance structures, the victimisation of student leaders, the marginalisation of dissenting Council voices and the continued deterioration of student accommodation conditions.
Portfolio Committee Chair Tebogo Letsie has demanded a response from Dr Siyanda Makaula, the University of Fort Hare Council Chairperson, after Student Representative Council alleges governance failures, interference and student welfare neglect.
In the letter, the SRC Secretary General, Lihle Phakophi, said it had “lost confidence in the leadership of the institution” and expressed concern that individuals holding views contrary to those of the Council leadership had been “systematically removed or marginalised”.
The complaint builds on a series of governance concerns that have surfaced at the historic institution in recent years, with tensions increasingly centred on disputes involving Council governance, student representation and executive decision-making.
Among the concerns raised were allegations that university officials interfered in the development of the Student Governance Constitution, ignored duly adopted SRC resolutions, and improperly influenced the process of selecting student representation on the Vice-Chancellor Recruitment Panel. . Phakophi further alleged that constitutionally recognised student structures and processes were bypassed, creating divisions within student governance.
The students also highlighted persistent residence challenges at the Alice campus, including leaking sewage systems, broken windows, inadequate hot water supply, damaged furniture and delayed maintenance responses. According to Phakophi, many of these issues had previously been raised during student protests yet remain unresolved.
According to an academic, the student unhappiness could delay the search for a new vice-chancellor.
Parliament has now entered the fray. In a letter dated 14 August 2026, Letsie confirmed that the committee had received the SRC’s complaint and requested a detailed response from Makaula. The committee specifically referenced allegations relating to governance irregularities, the “purging of Council members with dissenting views”, interference in student governance processes and student welfare concerns.
“The Chairperson of Council is kindly requested to provide a detailed response in respect of the issues raised by the students in the correspondence,” Letsie wrote. The committee requested that the university respond within seven working days.
The parliamentary intervention was followed days later by the resignation of Council member Sathie Gounden, a chartered accountant and chartered director.
In his resignation letter dated 17 August 2026, Gounden announced his immediate departure from Council, saying the decision had been driven by the circumstances facing the institution.
“This decision has not been taken lightly. However, in view of the prevailing circumstances and the various governance-related issues currently facing the University, I believe that it is in my best professional interest to step down from my position,” he wrote.
Gounden further stated: “I have taken this decision in order to protect my professional reputation and to maintain my personal integrity.”
While the resignation letter does not elaborate on specific governance concerns, it comes at a time when allegations of Council divisions and governance instability have moved to the centre of public scrutiny.
Kuselwa Marala, former Interim Chair of Council, and Judy Favish, former Interim Deputy Chair, tendered their resignations on 30 July after being served with disciplinary charges they describe as unjustified, procedurally flawed, and politically influenced. Their departure follows a series of governance flashpoints that ednews.africa has tracked since 30 March, including the suspension of vice-chancellor Professor Sakhela Buhlungu and senior officials, disputed council decisions, and growing concerns about external interference.
Political and governance observers are likely to view Parliament’s intervention and Gounden’s resignation as significant developments in a saga that has increasingly drawn national attention. The outcome of the Portfolio Committee’s inquiry may determine whether further oversight measures or investigations are necessary.
As the university prepares its response to Parliament, attention will now focus on whether UFH Council can address the allegations raised by students and restore confidence in the institution’s governance structures. With a Council member stepping down and Parliament seeking explanations, pressure is mounting on university leadership to demonstrate transparency and accountability.
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