Parliament committee welcomes suspension of Stellenbosch student

• Published date: 17 May 2022
• Publication title: South African Official News

The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Innovation has commended the suspension of a Stellenbosch University student, who was filmed urinating on the belongings of a fellow student.

The incident was captured in a cell phone video. It took place at the Huis Marais residence on the university campus in the early hours of Sunday morning. The video depicts a white student, who broke into a black student's room, urinating on the latter's belongings.

The committee has condemned the act of racism and discrimination, and directed the university leadership, led by Vice Chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers, to ensure that all due disciplinary processes are followed in addressing this dehumanising and totally unacceptable behaviour.

'The committee visited the University of Stellenbosch on 16 February 2022 to receive a briefing on the institution's transformation journey thus far. This incident qualifies the committee's concern regarding the institution's state of transformation,' said committee chairperson, Nompendulo Mkhatshwa.

The committee also noted the call made by the university's Student Representative Council (SRC) for overt acts of racism and discrimination to be addressed institutionally.

It also called upon the university to conclude its investigation of the incident with speed and make...