SAHRC launches probe into racism claims at the University of Pretoria

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says it has received some complaints over the brewing racial tensions at the University of Pretoria.

The commission’s acting Gauteng manager, Zamantungwa Mbeki, says these complaints are in the process of being investigated.

Earlier this week, members of the AfriForum Youth pasted “No Whites Allowed and Blacks Only” stickers at the entrances of the Hatfield campus, saying this was in retaliation to the EFF student command having blocked white students from entering the institution last month.

The EFF blocked the gates following the disqualification of EFF Student Command candidates during elections.

Videos of the stickers and the videos of the white students being turned away have been widely shared on social media, lifting the lid on the simmering racial tensions.

EFF Tshwane chairperson, Obakeng Ramabodu, has defended their actions, saying they had held a picket and blocked the students because they are tired of the university ignoring the cries of black students.

 

The SAHRC has slammed the actions of both paries. The organisation says racism of any nature should not be tolerated in the country, especially at institutions of higher learning, whose core mandates are to provide education.

 

While admitting to having pasted the stickers around campus, Afriforum Youth spokesperson Louis Boshoff called for the deregistration of the EFF student command from the university.

The organisation is accusing the red berets of sowing racial tensions at UP.

 

The University of Pretoria has condemned the racial tit for tat tussle, saying it is investigating the matter.

We strongly condemn and are deeply disappointed by the public relations stunt carried out by mischievous individuals, involving the placement of “no whites allowed” stickers on certain entrances of the Hatfield Campus. The University is firmly committed to upholding the… pic.twitter.com/m8JGGTG7b0

— University of Pretoria (@UPTuks) October 9, 2023

@americalivefree #screammovie #VozDosCriadores #southafrica #pretoria #pretoriauniversity #africa #black #whitepeople #blm #conservative #republican ♬ original sound – America Live Free

Afriforum racists tried to frame EFFSC it backfired, the University of Pretoria was convinced that it was EFF Students Command and they were ready to expel them, now they’re speaking in tongues#RegisterToVoteEFF #2024IsOur1994 pic.twitter.com/Ov5B94i5zh

— Battalion 54 (@54Battalion) October 10, 2023

It is a recent thing that just 7 years ago, the University of Pretoria’s @UPTuks policy boldly stated that it accepted 60% white students and 40% Black (Black including every other race AND international students). This is something the very EFF SC helped you resolve through… pic.twitter.com/FSFJAcfm8F

— Nokukhanya (@NalediChirwa) October 10, 2023