Cape Town – Stellenbosch University will not be taking any disciplinary action against the three students involved in a “blackface” incident, the institution announced.

“The pursuance of critical debate and conciliatory conversations is of much greater value to Stellenbosch University’s student community than action against the students that caused the buzz on social media last week after a birthday party at Amazink in Kayamandi,” the communication and liaison department said in a statement issued on its website.

Two of the students posed for photos with their faces smeared black and wearing wigs and outfits meant to represent tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams. The pictures were widely circulated on Twitter. The pictures were uploaded by another student.

Recommendation

The university said it accepted the recommendation of the investigation team that no disciplinary action would be taken against Michael Weaver, Ross Bartlett, and Mark Burmann.

“The three students have made a commitment to participate in discussions in various student forums to help repair relations after their actions had caused resentment and hurt,” the institution said.

This was the second incident of “blackface” at an institution of higher learning in the country. Two students from the University of Pretoria were suspended from their residence in September after a picture of theirs went viral on the internet.

The picture distributed on social media showed the pair of female students in domestic worker outfits with black paint smeared on their faces and arms. They posed with headscarves and padded bottoms.

Stellenbosch University acting rector and vice-chancellor Professor Leopoldt van Huyssteen said although the institution would not be taking any disciplinary action, they still regarded the incident in a very serious light.

Sensitivity

Van Huyssteen said although the investigation confirmed the students’ statement that they attended the 21st birthday celebration and that they dressed up according to the theme of the party, sensitivity was needed due to the history of the country.

“… our country’s history and vulnerable relations demand that we should be sensitive to remarks, actions and terminology that may be hurtful and offensive.

“The storm that the photo provoked on campus, in the media and on social platforms, confirmed this in the run up to the university’s diversity week. The chain of events over the past week resulted in a valuable learning experience for the three students and our campus community,” he said.

The institution also announced that the incident, the complex South African context, the meaning of “blackface” and the related sensitivities would be included in discussions in residences, the listening, learning and living structures, in leadership training and the 2015 welcoming programme.

It would also become part of the short course curriculum of the Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Student Leadership Development.

SAPA

Bloemfontein – A man was killed when he was hit by two cars on Abrahamskraal Road in Bloemfontein, paramedics said.

ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said paramedics found the dismembered body of the man lying in the middle of the road when they arrived on the scene on Monday night.

“Unfortunately the man had already succumbed to his injuries,” he said.

Meiring said both drivers had stated they did not see the pedestrian walking across the road.

SAPA

Durban – The office of the man representing the 12 Nkandla “scapegoats” has been burgled – on the eve of the civil servants’ potentially explosive hearings.

Having somehow got past guards and into an 11th floor Durban union office, they stole the personal laptop of Claude Naicker, KwaZulu-Natal manager of the Public Servants Association (PSA), while ignoring DVD players, other valuables and all other offices.
For more http://www.news24.com

East London – A 16-year-old Eastern Cape girl’s birthday festivities ended in tragedy when she died from apparent drug-related complications last weekend.

The Daily Dispatch reported on Tuesday that the girl had turned 16 last Thursday and had gone out to a popular bar to celebrate with six friends on Saturday night.
For more http://www.news24.com

Polokwane – The trial of Julius Malema and his co-accused was postponed by the Limpopo High Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Andrew Laka asked the court to postpone the trial because some counsel were not available.

“The case is postponed to August 3, 2015 for trial,” Judge Ephraim Makgoba said.

Charges

Malema and his co-accused, On-Point Engineering directors Lesiba Gwangwa and Kagisho Dichabe and two companies, On-Point Engineering and Gwama Properties, face charges of racketeering and 52 other counts, including fraud.

In March, corruption charges against Malema’s business associates – Selbie Manthatha, his wife Helen Moreroa and his brother Makgetsi Manthatha – were discharged.

The two brothers and Moreroa were initially charged with Malema, Gwangwa and Dichabe in September 2012.

They were accused of misrepresenting themselves to the Limpopo roads and transport department, leading to a R52m contract being awarded to On-Point Engineering.

It is alleged in court papers that Malema had business ties with Gwangwa, and that Malema’s Ratanang Family Trust was an indirect shareholder in On-Point. The State alleges Malema substantially benefited from the tender payment to On-Point, using it to buy a farm and a Mercedes-Benz.

Malema’s bail was extended.

SAPA

The “Generations 16” are hoping that it’s third time lucky as they add a labour court bid to their battle against the popular soapie’s executive producer, Mfundi Vundla.
For more http://www.citypress.co.za

Limpopo – As EFF members staged an all-night vigil in Polokwane on Monday night ahead of their commander-in-chief’s court date on corruption charges, police went looking for his trusted lieutenant, Jossey Buthane.

Buthane, the EFF’s Limpopo co-ordinator and chief whip in the provincial legislature, faces a charge of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm after he allegedly beat up fellow party member Rudzani Ntwampe at an EFF meeting in Mahwelereng township outside Mokopane at the weekend.
For more http://www.iol.co.za