Rumours of legal action in UFH student impasse

University of Fort Hare students say they are mounting a legal challenge against efforts to evict them.

This comes amid claims that the university’s management plans to seek a court eviction order.

UFH SRC president Luxolo Nqala said students had approached the Grahamstown High Court to challenge their “illegal eviction”.

“The case will be heard in court . We have submitted the application.”

However, Bayethe Maswazi of Mbabane & Sokutu attorneys, said he was not involved in any court challenge lodged by the students.

Maswazi represented the students last week following a notice issued by UFH vice-chancellor Mvuyo Tom warning that if they failed to report to classes on Wednesday, they would be asked to vacate residences.

“I’m waiting for an instruction from the SRC,” he said.

“It is possible they got someone else to represent them.”

The Daily Dispatch was unable to confirm if this was the case at the time of writing yesterday.

Asked if he was aware of the pending court action, UFH spokesman Lizo Phiti said: “I was made aware of this allegation, and the matter is receiving attention.”

Phiti would not confirm whether the university planned to seek an order to evict students.

“There was never an intention from management to send police to evict students at any time.

“The university has not at any stage forcefully evicted any student.

“However, management has noted with concern the defiance of a legitimate call that students must go home.

“Management will continue to engage with this group and plead with them to adhere to the call to go home and come back on October 11,” Phiti said.