Growing calls for Stellenbosch student’s expulsion
Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for the expulsion of a University of Stellenbosch student at the centre of an allegedly racist incident that occurred at a student residence over the weekend.
News24 reports that Babalo Ndwayana was asleep on Sunday morning when Theuns du Toit entered his room and urinated on his desk, books and laptops.
The university announced Du Toit's suspension on Monday, pending an investigation. He has been removed from the residence.
In a statement, the university said: ‘A further swift but detailed investigation will determine the final outcomes. Expulsion and/or criminal charges are not excluded from the possible available options, based on the investigation's findings.’
Vice-chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers added that such conduct would not be tolerated at the university.
But other students at the university insist that Du Toit should be expelled, claiming that it was a racially motivated attack.
On Monday, students gathered outside the residence, demanding answers and severe repercussions for Du Toit.
DA Stellenbosch constituency head Leon Schreiber said he had written to De Villiers asking for the matter to ‘be urgently placed on the agenda for the upcoming council meeting so management can account for all remedial steps taken’, reports TimesLIVE.
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika yesterday, HRC commissioner Andre Gaum said the commission would also investigate the incident. He said they had received two complaints, reports The Citizen.
‘If these allegations are true, this was indeed an atrocious and despicable incident. The facts need to be determined by the commission first. We call on everyone to also wait on the commission to conclude its investigation so that we can establish the facts,’ Gaum added.
Ndwayana yesterday laid charges of breaking and entering, malicious damage to property and racism at the Stellenbosch police station.
Police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk confirmed that the charges had been laid, according to a second TimesLIVE report.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
