HRC offers to help UP deal with campus ‘racial tension’

The SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has received a string of race-related complaints about the University of Pretoria.

Spokesperson Wisani Baloyi said these complaints would be addressed with the university to quell the tensions.

He said the commission has written to the university to raise concerns over the recent challenges and offered assistance in finding a solution.

“The complaints are being handled by the Gauteng office, in line with the commission’s complaints handling procedure,” Baloyi said.

The university welcomed the commission offer after being shrouded in racial tensions recently however, it maintains that none of its students were at the helm of the unease in the two incidents that sparked them.

Director of Institutional Advancement Rikus Delport said the university was willing to cooperate with the SAHRC in addressing any legitimate concerns regarding racial tensions.

“We are committed to fostering dialogue, understanding and unity among our diverse community.”

Delport refuted claims that students were in the forefront of sparking racial tensions in the two incidents at the Hatfield campus.

In the first on September 27, EFF member allegedly shouted “Only black students”, which in turn spurred a civil youth organisation to placarding campus buildings and fences with “Blacks only” and “No whites allowed” on October 9.

Delport said it seemed individuals that wanted to highlight conflicting agendas of the two parties were to blame.

According to him, a preliminary investigations into the two incidents did not uncover any student involvement.

He said if evidence however emerged, implicating students in causing racial unease, the university would address the situation per its codes and procedures.

“It is important to clarify that the racial tension observed is primarily instigated by a small group of individuals, many of whom are not part of our university community,” said Delport.

“These individuals often have their own political agendas, which do not reflect the sentiments of the vast majority of our students and staff.”

He said the incidents occurred outside the university premises.

“This means they [incidents] fall under the jurisdiction of the police.”

He said the university refused to be embroiled in disputes between the organisations and would concentrate on maintaining a stable and secure environment for its students.

“The university strongly condemns any form of protest activity that disrupts academic progress, especially as our students are gearing up for their examinations.”

Tukkies had condemned what it called “a public relations stunt”, involving the placement of “No whites allowed” stickers around the Hatfield campus.

AfriForum was displeased with the university’s “lighting-quick” reaction to threaten disciplinary action against the culprits.

According to the organisation, the stickers were meant to provoke heated debate and highlight alleged racial exclusion and double standards by the university.

AfriForum campaign officer Louis Boshoff said the group used the stunt to expose double standards, after EFF members allegedly prevented white students from accessing the campus on September 27.

“On that day, EFF members shouted: ‘Only black students’.”

Boshoff said AfriForum Youth sent several letters to Tukkies, demanding the deregistration of the EFF student command (SC) as a student society.

“The university simply refused to respond.”

He said the non-responsiveness frustrated AfriForum Youth into undertaking the stickers campaign to solicit a reaction.

“The university reacted quickly, condemning the protest action and threatening disciplinary action against individuals responsible for putting up the stickers,” said Boshoff.

“It is shocking that the university reacts so quickly and heatedly to a protest against racial exclusion on the campus, while those who are guilty of actual racial exclusion bear no consequences for their actions.”

He claimed students were being intimidated on the Hatfield campus and were being excluded based on their race.

DA shadow minister for higher education, science and innovation Chantel King lodged a complaint against the EFF for investigation by the SAHRC.

“The DA has lodged a complaint with the SAHRC requesting an urgent investigation into the SC’s recent attempts to bar certain students from the campus,” she said.

“We also call on the UP interim vice-chancellor and principal, Prof Themba Mosia, to urgently intervene regarding the seeming escalating racial tension at the institution.”

King said the SC’s actions were a contravention of the Constitution.

“No one may be discriminated against based on race, together with the right to human dignity and freedom of movement and association.”

He suggested the Tuks council should have intervened long before these situations escalated into the current racial tension.

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