Students involved in ‘Nazi’ poster incident suspended

The University of Stellenbosch (SU) has suspended three students linked to “Nazi” posters that surfaced on campus earlier this week advertising an “Anglo-Afrikaner” event to be held.

It said the decision to suspend the students was taken by the university’s rector and vice-chancellor‚ Professor Wim de Villiers.

The matter was investigated by SU's Equality Unit‚ which has made recommendations to SU's Central Disciplinary Committee (CDC) and Management‚ and the case was now a disciplinary matter‚ the university said.

• Stellenbosch University identifies three individuals linked to ‘Nazi’ postersStellenbosch University (SU) has so far identified three individuals linked to the planning of the “Anglo-Afrikaner Student” event at the university and what has been referred to as neo-Nazi posters that surfaced on campus on Tuesday. 

"The CDC will in the course of handling this matter decide on the suspensions and further steps. The case is receiving priority attention. The disciplinary process should be allowed to run its course‚" said De Villiers.

"When the matter was brought to our attention on Tuesday (9 May 2017)‚ both Management and the SRC immediately made it clear that we strongly condemn racism and attitudes of racial supremacy."

The Equality Unit reported that the posters and advertised event promoting racial polarisation/superiority – combined with highly offensive references to Nazi propaganda and neo-Nazism – were in breach of SU’s Policy on Unfair Discrimination and Harassment. It found that the behaviour and actions of the students in question had a demeaning and humiliating impact‚ and created an intimidating environment at SU.

• Varsity probes neo-Nazi posters for right-wing meetingStellenbosch University is investigating posters that appeared on campus notice- boards yesterday based on 1930s Hitler Youth propaganda. 

"Stellenbosch University is doing its utmost to be a diverse and inclusive institution. The venue booking was not approved by the University‚ and we did not have any information about the planned gathering before the posters were displayed – without permission. When the matter came to our attention‚ Campus Security was asked to remove the posters.

“We will continue to take a stand against racism and unfair discrimination‚ and promote human rights‚ equality‚ human dignity and democracy. This we do in accordance with our own policies‚ as well as our commitment to the Constitution of South Africa and the Bill of Rights that it enshrines‚" De Villiers added.