The Democratic Alliance Student Organisation (Daso) on Thursday condemned the destructive rampage at the Alice campus of the University of Fort Hare (UFH)‚ and laid the blame for the debacle at the feet of Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande. Students on Wednesday night burnt tyres outside the campus after they claimed management had failed to meet their demands.Daso leader Yusuf Cassim added that “several tents have been burnt and that other buildings – linked to the centenary celebration – are being targeted”.President Jacob Zuma is scheduled to deliver the keynote address for the institution’s 100th jubilee on Friday‚ and his Zimbabwean counterpart‚ President Robert Mugabe‚ a UFH alumni‚ is expected to attend.“We are also aware that members of SAPS are currently protecting buildings from further vandalism‚” he added.He said that Daso “condemns the violent vandalism” and it will “not help those students who are facing a legitimate funding crisis”.“This will only make the situation worse‚ and take even more funds away from the iniversity – as they repair the damage. “This funding crisis‚ which has led to tensions flaring up‚ was a long time coming. minister Blade Nzimande must be made to answer for the real mess in which Fort Hare finds itself today.” “…the university has admitted that funding for students has dried up…National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) agreements have therefore not been signed. “I had requested that UFH management be summoned to Parliament to explain its gross mismanagement last year. The African National Congress (ANC) stopped this from happening‚ and have still not agreed. The Minister has equally not taken any steps to address this corruption.” Among the students’ main demands was that students who were not resident on campus must receive their accommodation and transport allowance before the end of the first semester.Students set fires at Fort Hare Alice campusStudents at the Fort Hare campus in Alice went on a rampage on Wednesday night and burnt tyres outside the campus after they claimed management had failed to meet their demands.Another demand was that all first year students who applied and qualified for NSFAS funding must sign the loan agreement forms today.The university’s vice chancellor‚ Dr Mvuyo Tom‚ confirmed that students were burning tyres on the streets outside the Alice campus.Tom said in an interview with Power987 News on Wednesday evening that the students went on a rampage before even receiving the report from the meeting between student representatives and management.Eastern Cape Police spokesperson Lieutenant Khaya Tonjeni said police had just deployed its members to the campus in Alice.South Africans shared both pride and dismay at the protest-related damage.“From the ashes of South Africa‚ we shall build Azania‚” said I am An African ‏@Uncle_JayB‚ who shared photos of the scene.“And our VC is saying the centenary celebrations will go on smoothly‚ it has just started #FortHare‚” said Hlihle ‏@MihleSokupa.Olwethu Sipuka ‏@osipuka had a mind for the history of the institution‚ tweeting: “I pray they don't burn the priceless Nelson Mandela manuscripts at #FortHare”.Many more shared concern at the damage being done to educational institutions.Anisa Mazimpaka posted on Facebook: “Wits > VUT > UJ > and now Limpopo College & University of Fort Hare > who's next?! Our Institutions of higher learning are being burnt??!! What's hapenning in SA?! No man”.Chief Nxamalala ‏@Nkosinathi_7 tweeted: “The law enforcement agencies are busy with political agendas while the country's future burns to the ground by thuggish maniacs #FortHare”>As some students threatened to disrupt President Jacob Zuma’s centenary speech on Friday‚ BraMoremzee ‏@morembula tagged the ruling party and commented “@MYANC the students dont want Jacob‚ recall him and all will be wll. #FortHare”.Tsodiyo ‏@tokelonhlapo posted: “Fort Hare students say they will disrupt Zuma from speaking‚ only Mugabe will speak because Bob is a graduate.”In Parliament on Wednesday‚ Connie September‚ the newly elected chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training‚ voiced concern about the ongoing burning of education infrastructure throughout the country.She said burning university buildings and schools is deplorable and leads the country nowhere.September described it as acts of crime and said: “As the Committee‚ we are calling for those tasked with ensuring safety at universities to be unwavering in their responsibility.”MPs in the portfolio committee supported the call by the Department that arsonists should be found speedily and dealt with‚ she added.On Tuesday‚ protesters gathered at the Alice student centre to hand over a memorandum to management‚ demanding the release of funds for meal allowances amongst other issues. Sharing a photograph of the protest‚ the EFF student branch used the hashtag #CentenaryMustBurn”.Students also want the release of 20 students arrested for public violence during the #FeesMustFall violent protest last year. - TMG Digital..