Wits student racially abused
JOBURG - A Wits student currently in her fourth year was allegedly racially abused by one of her classmates outside a lecture hall on 2 March.
According to the Wits Vuvuzela publication, the student, Sinethemba Memela, ‘confronted’ two female students during the lecture after they mocked the accent of senior lecturer Dr Malebakeng Forere.
They had been attending an intellectual property lecture when according to Sinethemba, one of the Caucasian students threatened her saying “I will f***** kill you, you black b****”.
The incident started after the students were commenting on the lecturer’s pronunciation of the word ‘patent’. Sinethemba turned around in during the lecture and asked the students why it matters how the word is pronounced when they know what it means.
Shareera Kalla, deputy president of Wits University Student Representative Council (WITS SRC) stated that she does not think this is the first racial incident that has occurred within the university and students should not be doing this, especially at Wits.
“I find this despicable and atrocious and legal action must be taken,” says Kalla.
The Witz Vuvuzela reported that Memela said she tried to close the argument by saying the lecturer has a doctorate and did not need to be undermined. She then heard one of the girls calling her an ‘unnecessary b***’. The verbal argument later escalated into a physical confrontation.
It has been reported that the Caucasian student pinched her breasts, daring Sinethemba to beat her up. Kalla says there is a lack of transformation, and issues like these need to be addressed in more innovative ways.
Shioran Patel, head of Wits Communications said “The University condemns racism in all its forms and will not tolerate any racist behaviour on its campuses”.
Patel said, “The University can confirm that it is investigating a complaint pertaining to an alleged racist incident that occurred on campus this week, in line with the university’s rules for student conduct, processes and procedures”.
Wits Campus control has confirmed that Sinethemba has filed a report. Patel stated that the complainant has also received counselling on campus.
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