Fort Hare beef up security ahead of centenary celebrations

There's an excitement in the air ahead of celebrations on the Alice campus despite the heavy police presence. 

This follows violent student protests over management's failure to address their concerns.

More than 200 officers have been deployed accompanied by the K9 unit while management at the institution obtained a court interdict against protesting students yesterday. 

Security checks are currently underway with the bomb squad doing sweeps around the campus. 

Meanwhile, students there said they feel intimidated by the heavy police presence on campus.

''I feel that they are intimidating us. This is our territory but we feel we are like terrorists in our own territory. It's not nice at all, it's not nice as much as they are trying to protect the centenary celebrations but at our expense,'' said. 

The programme is expected to begin in the afternoon.

(File photo)