DA calls for suspension of Prof. Somniso, UFH Registrar

27 September 2015

The University of Fort Hare (UFH) Registrar, Prof Mike Somniso must be immediately suspended, following his remarks to incite violence against DASO members. The DA will write to the Chairperson of the University Council requesting a full, transparent and independent investigation be conducted into the matter.

Prof. Mike Somniso has been exposed for plotting to unleash the ANC’s uMkhonto weSizwe military veterans (MK) on DASO students at the university’s Alice campus (see Dispatch report here).

He has been recorded in a conversation, with a fellow senior administrator, whereby a plot to have DASO members on campus attacked by MK veterans were revealed by the Daily Dispatch this week.

It is outrageous that despite the many sought interventions months ago by the DA from the university’s Vice Chancellor and the Premier of the Eastern Cape, all have fallen on deaf ears.

This confirms events that have been taking place since DASO won the SRC elections in March, have all been part of a wider conspiracy between University management, the ANC, and their student wing SASCO.

These include: 

- numerous assaults and threats on DASO members;

- the hijacking of the Student Parliament;

- occasions where local police have refused to open up cases where DASO members have been assaulted; and

- the Head of Security and Student Developer overheard plotting to poison the SRC President.

UFH is in a state of collapse, yet the Registrar's main concern is plotting against DASO, to curb good student governance. UFH management had previously tried to block DASO from being recognised at the university.

This is an increasingly worrying trend of political exclusion and targeting by ANC cadres in management at some universities and colleges across the country.

Furthermore, we are calling on the Vice Chancellor to condemn the actions of his management and to put measures in place to ensure the safety of all students regardless of their political affiliation.

The DA is focused on the plight of students at UFH and will not rest until their serious concerns are addressed.

Statement issued by Yusuf Cassim MP, DA Shadow deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, September 27 2015