18 May 2022

The South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Elizabeth Nana Abrahams District (Boland) in the Western Cape Province notes with deep concern the dehumanising racial incident at the University of Stellenbosch which took place on 15 May 2022. A bigoted white racist student, Theuns du Toit, urinated at the personal belongings including books, course materials and laptop of a first-year black student.

This arrogance signifies systemic and institutionalised racism which is tolerated in this institution where black students are not welcome. The university has been limping from one racism scandal to another because there are no serious consequences to decisively deal with the scourge of racism. As the country we have committed ourselves post 1994 to build a country of non-racialism and our democracy and constitution is built on this foundation.

The suspension of this racist student by the university is clearly to protect him from the spotlight of media attention. A serious institution would have taken a decisive act of expelling this racist. We must commend students in this university led by SASCO and other progressive forces who have stood up and confronted the barbaric conduct and demanded his expulsion. We fully support calls for expulsion and complete ban of this racist from any public institution for the foreseeable future.

Issued by SACP Elizabeth Nana Abrahams District, Western Cape

Contact:

Mcedisi Nobhala

District Secretary

0786325511