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The DA has lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) requesting an urgent investigation into the EFF Student Command’s recent attempts to bar certain students from the University of Pretoria (UP) campus.

We also call on the UP Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Themba Mosia, to urgently intervene regarding the seeming escalating racial tension at the institution.

Various social media platforms have raised concern that white students are denied entry onto campus at the university.

The EFF Student Command’s attempts are a contravention of the Constitution of South Africa in that no one may be discriminated against on the basis of race, together with the right to human dignity and freedom of movement and association.

Considering various allegations surrounding racial incidents have been levelled, the university council should have intervened long before the situation escalated.

Higher education institutions should be safe spaces where differences must be dealt with in a professional and cooperative manner. These actions reverse the gains to ensure a just and equal society and must be condemned with the contempt it deserves.

Campuses must be accessible to all students. University councils cannot remain tight-lipped when such instances occur on campuses. Social cohesion should be prioritised to ensure the smooth completion of the academic year, and racial prejudice and targeting on any group condemned and decidedly dealt with.

Issued by Chantel King MP - DA Shadow Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation