UFS and Prof Jansen sued for millions

3 July 2015

The Sheriff knocked on the door of the University of the Free State (UFS) and Prof Jonathan Jansen with a summons exceeding R6 million in hand. This, after AfriForum Youth instructed their legal team to continue with the subpoena on behalf of Cobus Muller and Charl Blom in a case of defamation and procedural injustice.

Muller and Blom, former UFS students, are claiming compensation after they were accused of attempted murder last year, when they almost hit a black fellow student with their vehicle on campus. During this time they were publicly labelled as criminals. The court and the South African Human Rights Commission however acquitted them. 

They are claiming R6.15 million. It entails wasted expenses, delayed access to the labour market and the impairment of their dignity and reputation.

“The message which we want to convey on behalf of the two young men is that no-one is untouchable. Too many student leaders and persons in positions of authority think they can say and do what they want without consequences,” says Henk Maree, National Chairman at AfriForum Youth.

The UFS and Prof Jansen earlier sent a letter to AfriForum Youth’s legal team in which they denied any responsibility.

Statement issued by Henk Maree, National Chairperson: AfriForum Youth, July 3 2015