Parliament Committee on Higher Education, Science and Innovation has commended the suspension of a Stellenbosch University student, Theuns Du Toit, who was filmed urinating on the belongings of another student.
The barbaric incident, captured in a cell phone video, took place at the Huis Marais residence on the university campus in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The video depicts a white male student, who broke into an African student’s room, urinating on the latter’s belongings.
The committee has condemned the act of racism 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 dehumanizing 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 its findings public to reassure the country that it strives for an inclusive student community.
Mkhatshwa added that the committee would engage with the university leadership and the Department of Higher Education and Training on this matter.