By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Retired Judge Johann Kriegler will head a panel appointed to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by Stellenbosch University’s leadership.
The panel consists of Kriegler, Advocate Karrisha Pillay SC, and Professor Themba Mosia.
The panel will look into specific allegations of impropriety made by the Chancellor, Judge Edwin Cameron, against the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wim de Villiers, and Chair of Council, Dr Nicky Newton-King, and contained in an affidavit deposed by the Chancellor on 29 October 2024; relating to the so-called “Wilgenhof Report”.
In his affidavit, Cameron said the report had included an option to keep the residence open while consultation with residents and the broader community was ongoing. However, according to Cameron, this section was altered in the publicly released final report.
In his role as chancellor, Cameron had access to the report from the panel appointed to review the matter. It was sent to him by De Villiers. Cameron is a former Wilgenhof primarius, or head of the residence committee.
According to Cameron’s affidavit, De Villiers and Newton-King, changed the report which recommended Wilgenhof’s closure.
The residence’s closure is now the subject of a court application by the Wilgenhof Alumni Association, which has filed papers in the high court to overturn the university’s decision.
In January 2024, News24 reported on a 23-page document which outlined a student’s experience of Wilgenhof. The allegations centred on the residence’s unofficial disciplinary and initiation committee, the Nagligte, and two rooms that featured imagery and regalia associated with white supremacy.
The two rooms at the residence were raided and were found to have crude drawings depicting what appeared to be male sexual assault, black hoods with a resemblance to those of the Ku Klux Klan, and a toxic mixture of linseed oil and aloe crystals allegedly used to bring on acute diarrhoea.
In one room, used condoms were found along with items such as broken eggshells and writings on the wall.
The Panel’s report and findings are expected to be received in time for the next meeting of Council scheduled for 2 December 2024.