AfriForum ready for UFS appeal against language implementation ruling

14 September 2016

On Monday 12 September 2016 the high court in Bloemfontein ruled in favour of AfriForum and Solidarity that the University of the Free State (UFS) may not continue with the implementation of the 2017 language policy which was decided on in March this year. A cost order was also awarded in favour of AfriForum and Solidarity.

The court already ruled on 21 July 2016 that the language policy is unconstitutional and the decision of the University’s council and senate to implement this, was set aside. The University applied with both the appeal court and the Constitutional Court for leave to appeal against the ruling. While the decision over the appeal is still pending, UFS management started with implementation of the policy despite several requests by AfriForum and Solidarity’s legal team. Prospective UFS students are plunged in extreme uncertainty about their language options in 2017. The registration time is also quickly running out.

The court on Monday found for AfriForum and Solidarity that this behaviour is unfair and instructed that the implementation must be halted.

According to Alana Bailey, Deputy CEO of AfriForum, her organisation and Solidarity’s legal team are ready for both appeal cases.

“We find it regrettable that the University’s management obstinately persists on this unconstitutional course against students’ nationally and internationally recognised language rights. We will do everything in our power to ensure that these rights and the future of Afrikaans as tertiary medium of instruction is protected.”

No dates have been set for the two appeal cases yet.

Issued by Alana Bailey, Deputy CEO, AfriForum, 14 September 2016