UFS rector moves to quash rumours of disorder

Allegations of disorder on the main campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) contained in an anonymous email circulated country were untrue, Rector Frederick Fourie said on Thursday.

The email apparently makes reference to incidents of intimidation by black students on the main campus in Bloemfontein on March 4.

“In the email it was alleged that a white girl was attacked at the food court, her clothes ripped from her body and thrown off the Thakaneng Bridge, the university’s student centre, and that she had to run back to her residence [naked],” Fourie said in a statement.

Fourie urged parents of students not to be upset by the false rumours and emails.

He said if the incident had actually happened it would have been reported and handled immediately.

Fourie said other allegations in the email were also untrue and that only two peaceful protest marches, for which permission was granted, had taken place.

“I regard this as an anonymous campaign to whip up emotions, destabilise the campus and to instill fear among staff and students,” said Fourie.

This follows the recent surfacing of a racist video at the UFS made by white male students of the Reitz men’s residence. It shows black UFS staff on their hands and knees eating food which had apparently being urinated on by the students as part of a mock initiation process.

Fourie said the university’s community—parents, staff and students—should come to terms with the Reitz video in a calm and rational way.

He said management was “intensively busy” to manage this situation.

“Academic activities are continuing as normal,” he said. 

The African National Congress (ANC) and various alliance partners such as unions were expected to take part in a protest march on Friday against racism and lack of transformation at the university. - Sapa