The black Stellenbosch University student whose belongings were urinated on by a white peer has opened a case against the perpetrator of breaking in and entering, malicious damage to property and racism on Tuesday.
First-year agricultural and business management student Babalo Ndwayana initially decided to forgive the alleged culprit, but later changed his mind when his father, Mkuseli Kaduka persuaded him take action so that the alleged suspect can be held accountable for his actions.
On Monday, the university suspended Theuns Du Toit, following a video which had been circulating on social media. A video surfaced on social media showing Du Toit urinating on Ndwayana’s books and laptop after breaking into his room on Sunday at Huis Marais.
“Kaduka on Wednesday said: “My son is now feeling sorry for the boy and he and he feels that a prolonged court case will make him lose focus on his studies, but I’m looking at options of laying the charges myself on his behalf.”
Despite Du Toit apologising for his actions, he could still face criminal charges, according to Edwin Cameron, Stellenbosch University Chancellor. “It is possible for criminal charges to arise out of the kind of gross humiliation of another person’s dignity, the criminal offence of crimen injuria- which you can do through words or actions.
“So there may well be circumstances in which the NPA could charge this student, notwithstanding his apology,” said Cameron to Talk702 on Tuesday.
A tweet from Money Man @Money_man reads: “black African immigrant would have been burned or being attacked by fellow black South Africans and Operation dudula by now. Black South Africans are weak and scared of white people that is why they hate brave leader like @Julius_S_Malema.”
Another tweet from Dark Earth (Adam) @AlkeAdamic reads: Love and forgiveness is who we are as black people it is in our DNA we don’t need to learn it but it doesn’t mean we don’t know Justice and War.”
Source: IOL, Times Live, The Citizen, Eyewitness News, image from Eyewitness News