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| ‘SA varsity erred in dropping racist charges’ |
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Friday, October 23, 2009
CAPE TOWN: The South African government on Thursday criticised the Free State university’s decision to drop charges against white students that filmed themselves humiliating black workers. “The process that led to the dropping of the charges was flawed, in that it did not follow the established norm of getting the perpetrators to admit guilt, to apologise to the victims before any charges could be dropped,” cabinet spokesman Themba Maseko told journalists.
The video, filmed at a former whites-only hostel, showed five black workers taking part in a mock initiation ritual, which included kneeling to eat food into which a student appears to have urinated.
“The manner in which this matter was handled suggests that the rights of the perpetrators have been given preference over the dignity and rights of the victims,” said Maseko. Last Friday, university rector Jonathan Jansen announced that the institution was withdrawing disciplinary charges against the students, in an attempt to promote reconciliation.
The students would be allowed to return to the university to complete their studies. Jansen’s decision prompted widespread criticism from trade unions and the ruling African National Congress. Retired Archibishop Desmond Tutu has been lambasted for supporting Jansen’s decision. Tutu praised Jansen for choosing reconciliation over retribution.
Despite the university’s decision, the four students are still due to go on trial in a criminal court on October 26 charged with violating the workers’ dignity.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
