On Thursday, 6 April, 2017, AfriForum was made aware of racist and provocative comments against white people that was made by a studewithnt of the Villa Bravado residence of the University of the Free State (UFS) on the relevant residence hall’s WhatsApp group.
“There has never been a time in history whereby the black man invaded the white man’s country nor continent to kill people, rape their women, take their precious gift (land) which they were given by God and exploit and transfer the natural resources of a white man. And even create a system to maintain their power and privilege! Aren’t the abovementioned deeds that of a devil?” reads the message that was posted by the student on 28 March 2017 on the WhatsApp group.
Although various cases have previously been brought under the attention of Mr W.P. Wahl, Assistant Director of Residence Life, he has failed to act. Students have therefore lost faith in the complaints structure and that is why AfriForum has laid a complaint with the UFS against this student and demands that he is expelled with immediate effect and that disciplinary action be taken against him.
Marike van As, AfriForum Youth’s Kovsie Coordinator, says that this is not the first time that complaints regarding racist remarks against white people were brought forward on the UFS Campus. “We would like to see that the UFS acts against students who provoke racism on campus and in doing so, disregard the university’s policies. We demand that the UFS acts strongly against this.”
Van As further says that the relevant student has previously been involved in protest action at the university and that he has appeared before a disciplinary committee.
“A residence is supposed to be a haven where students can learn, live and take part in healthy student activities without being confronted with racism and politics,” she concludes.