Evidence wa ka Ngobeni
Black students at Rand Afrikaans University (RAU) in Johannesburg are being subjected to vicious assaults and humiliating harassment by white students.
Black students also say some “no go” areas for them at the university include white residences at the university.
A document handed to black students early this year by university management says they are not allowed in these areas because they do not follow the Afrikaner culture.
“Everyone has his/her own culture and norms and we will like to maintain this culture we inherited,” the document stated.
But dean of students at the university, Professor Frederick de Jager, said: “The matter has been resolved. There are no longer such things here as `no go’ areas.”
RAU was an all-white institution, but now has about 15% black students and over 60% white Afrikaner students.
Many black students live in fear because their complaints are not taken up by the university management and what students called “white” security services.
In a recent incident, first-year law student Lerato Lukhele (21) said he was assaulted twice by a group of four white students.
“These guys forced me to worship and honour a statue of Jan van Riebeeck. They told me if I did not I will get killed or be thrown out of the university,” said Lukhele.
De Jager said he is unaware of students worshipping statues around the university, but conceded that they may be regarded as a symbol for white students.
A first-year development studies student, Happy Mabasa (21), said a group of white students turned off the main electrical switch in his residence and broke into his room.
Mabasa said he sustained internal injuries following what he called a “brutal assault” by a group of white students.
“I took my case to the security services and the management, but nothing was done about the culprits. What they have done is to give me a letter for medical expenses,” said Mabasa.
The Human Rights Commission is investigating the black students’ complaints and is meeting RAU’s management next week.