Malema meets Jansen to discuss Reitz decision

African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) leader Julius Malema was set to meet University of the Free State vice-chancellor Jonathan Jansen on Thursday to discuss his decision to pardon the so-called Reitz Four.

“The ANC Youth League is meeting Jonathan Jansen to discuss his recent decision to drop charges against the racist students and allow some of them back into the university,” the ANCYL said in a statement.

The delegation would include Malema, ANCYL treasurer general Pule Mabe, ANCYL spokesperson Floyd Shivambu and ANCYL Free State chairperson Thabo Meeko.

The meeting was scheduled for 10am.

Jansen announced about a week ago that the four former students would be allowed to return to campus and continue their studies if they wanted to.

But RC Malherbe, Johnny Roberts, Schalk van der Merwe and Danie Grobler still face charges of crimen injuria in court.

The four allegedly made a video in which five black university employees were shown taking part in a mock initiation into hostel activities, which landed the institution in a racial storm in 2008.

The employees were filmed on their hands and knees eating food that had apparently been urinated on by a white student.

Jansen’s decision drew widespread criticism, causing him to start a “consultation process” about the matter.—Sapa