South African University probes racist group on Facebook

The North West University (NWU) has launched an investigation into the establishment of an openly racist group on  Facebook, allegedly by two of its students.

The group contains a staged photo of an armed white man standing over the body of a black boy . The k-word and other racist slurs were used freely in the group . About 10 members withdrew from the group today after media reports.

University spokesperson Louis Jacobs says even though the students had participated in the group in their private capacity, that did not in any way diminish the seriousness of their actions.

“The University is shocked and appalled by the existence of a racist group on Facebook, and the involvement of some of its students as officers of this group,” says Jacobs.

“The Vice Chancellor of the NWU, Dr Theuns Eloff, stressed that any actions by students encouraging racial hatred or violence against other race groups, are not only in total conflict with the values of the NWU, but also a contravention of the Statute of the University. By opening this, the students have opened themselves for disciplinary action.”