‘Mr President, you failed me’ – University of Fort Hare corruption fallout reaches Ramaphosa

University of Fort Hare (UFH) vice-chancellor professor Sakhela Buhlungu is facing disciplinary action after being suspended by the institution’s council this week, in a development that comes after years of efforts to root out corruption at the historic university. His suspension has also cast renewed attention on the personal cost of that campaign, after his wife detailed in a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa the toll it has allegedly taken on their family. Buhlungu was suspended on 30 March, following a communication from University of Fort Hare council chairperson Dr Siyanda Makaula, who said the council had considered written representations, a forensic investigation report and “all relevant circumstances” before taking the decision.

The current turmoil at the institution, where several of Africa’s leaders studied, centres on the appointment of two senior executives whose appointments were not ratified by the institution’s senate and council. When the oversight was discovered, Buhlungu alerted the council and sought to have the matter corrected. But the council allegedly ignored the report’s findings, which found no wrongdoing and still went ahead with the suspension.

It will also pursue formal disciplinary proceedings against the vice-chancellor. University insiders say that the “knives have been out” for Buhlungu. His efforts to curb corruption at Fort Hare began several years ago and have unfolded amid a climate of violence and intimidation.

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During that period, staff members have been murdered, Buhlungu has reportedly survived assassination attempts, and parts of the university were set alight during student unrest in October 2025 – incidents widely seen as linked to attempts to derail his anti-corruption drive. On Wednesday,University World Newsobtained a copy of a letter entitled, “Mr President you failed me”, addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa and dated 27 February 2026. In this letter, Dr Beata Mtyingizana-Buhlungu, Buhlungu’s wife, describes the family’s three-year ordeal, which has left her medically disabled, financially destitute and unable to secure employment, while her children’s education and security have been severely disrupted.

The letter suggests they were victimised because of the anti-corruption efforts of her husband. Asked why this has happened, Beata Mtyingizana-Buhlungu toldUniversity World News: “Corruption! Corruption!

The ANC is draining money from universities for the party. UFH was a major cash cow which Sakhela interrupted and rendered the party broke.”

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