DUT students shocked at racist Facebook posts
SHOCKED and threatened.
That is how a first-year Durban University of Technology student said he felt after violent clashes and racist social media posts that went viral this week.
The first-year mechanical engineering student, who asked not to be named, said he was “intimidated” by a Facebook post by a fellow student who encouraged “comrades” to use violence against Indian staff and students at the campus.
The post was one of several inciting violence and hate speech — including threats against the vicechancellor, Ahmed Bawa — that went viral this week.
Learning was disrupted at the tertiary institution after student protests on Monday. This comes two weeks after management and the student representative council (SRC) reached a deadlock over several issues raised following a strike at the campus last month.
The SRC’s main demand was that students whose fees had not been paid by the National Students’ Financial Aid Scheme be allowed to re-register despite the nonpayment.
On Tuesday, management obtained an interdict against the SRC president, Ayanda Ngidi, several members of the student body and other students who supported the protest to prevent them from disrupting the campus.
It was closed on Wednesday after management suspended 15 students pending the outcome of disciplinary hearings. But on Thursday the campus was again plagued by disruptions.
On Friday, Bawa released a statement saying he was aware of the “tremendous amount of panic and even paranoia among staff and students”. He said the publishing “of some rather unsavoury Facebook postings” that represented hate speech had understandably raised their concern.
“These and any other comments and posts that promoted hate speech and incited violence will be taken up with the South African Human Rights Commission,” he added.
He said, however, that the university “cannot afford as an institution to shut down”.
Alan Khan, senior director of corporate affairs, said the university was “inundated” with calls and letters from concerned parents about the violent protests and apparent targeting of Indian students.
“The racist attacks and vitriol are serious violations of the rights enshrined in our constitution and we don’t take that lightly.
“However, we also believe this is exactly the reaction these antagonists have planned. They want students to be intimidated into not attending campus and thereby forcing our hand.”
Ngidi could not be reached for comment.
Nthuthuko Makhombothi, president of the South African Students’ Congress, said: “We believe the DUT’s decision to suspend the student leaders was irresponsible and a recipe for anarchy.
“However, while we understand there might have been comments posted as a result of student anger and frustration, we don’t think they will harbour any intention to kill or harm others.”