FF Plus demands that UP takes action after Malema incites violence on campus with “Kill the Boer”

13 October 2024

Julius Malema's incitement of students at the University of Pretoria (UP) through singing the hate song “Kill the Boer” is unacceptable, and the FF Plus demands that action should be taken against the EFF Student Council (EFFSC).

I will send an official letter to the University's Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francis Petersen, formally objecting to what transpired on Friday evening at the UP's Thuto Building in Pretoria.

The EFFSC had organised the gathering and Malema, leader of the EFF, was the guest speaker.

In a statement on the matter, the University declares that it "strongly condemns any form of incitement to violence, discrimination or provocation" on any of its campuses.

It also undertakes to take appropriate action against any staff members or students guilty of such conduct seeing as the University strives to create a "safe and inclusive environment" for all its students, staff and visitors.

The FF Plus is of the opinion that the EFFSC should not be allowed to keep sowing division. The damage caused by such conduct has a ripple effect that stretches much wider than the University's borders.

Such racist incitement runs counter to all acceptable South African societal norms and should no longer be tolerated.

The EFFSC was deregistered last year after its violent conduct caused chaos when it, among other things, denied fellow students access to the university grounds.

It is clear that the EFFSC should not have been allowed back as a student organisation at the UP. This incident proves that it cannot be trusted, and that it should be permanently deregistered and banned from campus.

Incidents such as these do nothing to create cohesion among students, on the contrary. They create tension which leads to conflict that may jeopardise students' safety, as was the case last year.

The FF Plus will ask Professor Petersen whether disciplinary steps will be taken against the relevant students and what those steps will entail.

Issued by Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus leader, 13 October 2024