Sasco regains control of Fort Hare SRC

22 April 2016

Alice – The ANC-aligned Sasco has regained control of the University of Fort Hare’s SRC from the DA.

"We are very happy because it reflects that people still have hope in us and the ANC – because we are one thing," SA Students Congress deputy president Tsakani Xiviti said on Friday.

In a historic win last year, the Democratic Alliance’s Student Organisation (Daso) won control of the university’s Student Representative Council.

This year, Sasco garnered 43% of the vote, compared to Daso’s 40%, said Xiviti. They also won the East London campus. Daso retained the Alice campus.

She said the win was particularly important, coming during Fort Hare’s centenary.

"It is a good symbol that they have trust in us, as it is a historic campus. Most of the heroes of our movement come from there. We are dedicating this win to them."

Meanwhile, Daso said it was concerned by "a number of irregularities" that allegedly took place during the elections.

"This included the non-use of the IEC [Electoral Commission of SA], as was done last year, and the hiring of a never-heard-of-before private company by the university to facilitate the elections. It also includes a faulty voters’ roll," it said in a statement.

The organisation alleged there had been "an onslaught of intimidation".

"We have lodged objections with the presiding officers and management regarding these concerns and await a response, but provisionally accept the results."

This article first appeared on News24, see here.