UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN
iYunivesithi YaseKapa
Universiteit van Kaapstad
Dr Max Price, Vice-Chancellor
Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
Room 101, Bremner Building, Lower Campus, Lovers’ Walk, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700
Tel: +27 (0) 21 650-2105/6 Fax: +27 (0) 21 650-5100
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.uct.ac.za
25 November 2014
Dear SRC members
You would have noted the recent media articles relating to two incidents where UCT students were
allegedly involved in racist or violent attacks.
Both these incidents are alleged to have happened near the Tiger-Tiger nightclub in Claremont. The first
incident was in January 2014 and involved one of our students (a white male) who allegedly urinated from
a balcony onto the head of a taxi driver (a black male) and when confronted about the act is said to have
made despicable racial slurs. The second incident is alleged to have occurred in October 2014 when a black
woman working as a cleaner was assaulted and verbally abused when she intervened when a group of men
were beating others. She alleges that the group was made up of five white UCT students.
In the first instance, it must be stated categorically that UCT absolutely, utterly rejects racism, violence and
discrimination of any kind. There can never be a justification for such behaviour and we will fight it tooth
and nail where it occurs. We will bring our strongest disciplinary sanctions to bear on anyone who is found
guilty of such behaviour.
The media have reported several cases of white-on-black violence in Cape Town recently and it is painful
hearing the allegations of what can only be termed as disgusting and absolutely unacceptable behavior. Any
UCT student who is guilty of this behaviour does not belong in UCT. Racism and violence serve to break
down the vast effort made by good South Africans across the board (many of them among our students and
staff) who work tirelessly to create a more just, fair and tolerant South Africa.
UCT is very aware that on our campus, as in every other space in South Africa and in fact the world, racism
(of all permutations) continues to play itself out. It is our role and responsibility to acknowledge it, fight it
and educate and transform ourselves and others so that a better society is formed.
Even if one disregards these particular incidents, there can be no question that many other incidents of
racism and violence occur everywhere in our society. Black people are mostly (but not always) the target of
this abhorrent behaviour. Every day, people suffer the consequences of disrespectful, abusive behaviour. It
is visible in the aggression and violence of motorists on our roads, the disrespect shown towards women
and children through violent and sexist attacks, and the human rights abuses against many disadvantaged
and disempowered workers that unfortunately still continue.
The anger of UCT and the public following these allegations is understood, justified and very necessary
because it will force change. UCT will never hide or protect a person who makes themselves guilty of such
behaviour.
However, a pivotal element in a democratic society is that guilt must be established in a fair and proper
judicial process. Our legal system declares people innocent until proven guilty. Guilt is established based
on evidence tested in proper investigation and in legal or disciplinary processes.
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“Our Mission is to be an outstanding teaching and research university, educating for life and addressing the challenges facing our society.”
2.
As UCT became aware of the two separate incidents, we started investigating the allegations immediately.
This process included taking statements, visiting the sites, working with the police, working with the
business owners involved, interviewing witnesses, talking to the families, consulting with legal experts. On
conclusion of the process we will make a finding about whether the evidence points to the fact that a case
must be answered. If so, we will bring charges and a tribunal will be established to hear the case and
conclude with a verdict and sentence. In cases where racism, criminal activity or sexism is proven,
sanctions will follow.
In both these incidents the State has indeed decided to act. UCT is cognisant of this. The first case is
currently being heard in the Wynberg court. In the second incident, a UCT student and his friends were
arrested; the court might pursue the matter and might include a charge against a police officer who is
alleged to have acted irregularly to avoid the prosecution of the group that allegedly assaulted the women.
UCT awaits and will take note of the outcome of these cases. We will continue our independent
investigation into both incidents. We have placed a UCT representative in the court to hear all the evidence.
It might be in the interest of a fair process to allow the court cases to conclude prior to making our own
final decisions. But that is still under consideration.
We understand the frustration of the public, and immediate action against those involved would be so much
easier. But it will not be wise or just. Again, we stress that as abhorrent as the allegations are, a fair and just
process must be allowed to run its course. If we act in haste we might, in fact, make ourselves guilty of
unfairness and a type of aggression that would add to the problems in our society instead of uplifting it, as
is our intention and wish.
We must, no matter the pressures of the moment, act fairly.
We must also always remember that we are an educational institution. If it proves in the end that a student
of ours is guilty in some way of an offence, then we must discipline them. It must be evident to such a
student that fellow students and staff at UCT find such behaviour deplorable. We should also remember
that from the experience itself there can sometimes come the deepest transformation through learning the
error of one’s ways. This is why we are offering all parties independent mediation attempts. Perhaps that is
where the most learning will occur.
Lastly, we should remember that by far the greatest majority of our students and staff, across all
demographics, act in a decent manner and play an active role on a daily basis to break down stereotypes, to
work against racism and sexism, to reject any form of violence. We know this because we see it every day
on our campus in real life examples: students loving across all demographics, students of different
backgrounds spending holidays at each other’s homes, students of all inclinations working at SHAWCO in
the most disadvantaged societies and standing up for what is right and just, no matter their differences. It is
unfair to these wonderful students to be tarred with the same brush because someone looking like them has
stepped out of line. It is in itself a form of racism.
So please be assured that we are acting on these matters and will conclude them in a fair and just way and
as speedily as possible. Please also continue to work in your own way to highlight these very important
issues.
Sincerely
Dr Max Price
Vice-Chancellor