BY HLANGANANI GUMBI
This serves to express the concerns that the Democratic Alliance Student Organisation at Rhodes University, hereinafter referred to as DASO, feels with regards to the recent exoneration granted to the perpetrators of the gross human rights violations in the Free State University.
Let me start by saying with all due respect that DASO unreservedly objects to the decision made by Dr Jansen to grant clemency to what has become known as “The Reitz Four”. Surely at a time when South Africa is desperately fighting against racism, the university should attempt by all means to promote and propagate our transition from racially motivated malice to a non-racist, non-classist environment, designed for all to co-exist regardless our differences. DASO sees this amnesty as a dismal failure to uphold the country’s vision of an all-encompassing atmosphere, one in which one’s genetic makeup and ones financial status is not a means to debase and degrade anyone. Dr Jansen has allowed for history to repeat itself where wicked individuals emerge scot free. To add insult to injury, his decision includes a settlement package in monetary form to silence the wounded as if the world is blind to their suffering.
This matter has gone far beyond the boundaries of the University and has made its way into the hearts of many concerned humanitarians and human rights activists. DASO does not support the decision made in the spirit of reconciliation because we believe that the measures taken are unjust and disproportional to the disgusting and distasteful actions of the Reitz Four.
In his decision, Dr Jansen’s failure is twofold: it comes firstly as a disregard for the magnitude of the situation as it indeed has evolved into a constitutional matter. Secondly, it belies the mission statement of the university. One of the five core values that the university’s mission statement aims to achieve is integrity. Surely, accountability is coupled with integrity. By granting them amnesty, the Reitz Four do get their retribution, thereby failing to account for their actions.
While we respect the university’s auonomy, and wish to uphold it, we hence will stand in solidarity with any internal movement that echoes these sentiments.
Hlanganani Gumbi is president of DASO Rhodes.
