SAHRC to investigate racist lecturer at University of the Free State following AfriForum Youth complaint

21 September 2023

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has agreed to investigate AfriForum Youth’s complaint of racism against Dr Pedro Mzileni, a lecturer at the University of the Free State (UFS). This follows after the youth organisation filed a complaint against Mzileni on 17 August, in response to students’ complaints about the lecturer’s racist lecture while he acted as a guest speaker.

“His divisive rhetoric appeared to be aimed at stoking the fires of racial division and hostility. Meanwhile, a student studying in Mzileni’s Sociology class informed us, and sent evidence, of repeated racist comments by Mzileni,” says René van der Vyver, spokesperson for AfriForum Youth.

The youth organisation instructed its legal team to send the additional evidence of racism against Mzileni to the SAHRC today.

“It is a step in the right direction that the SAHRC will investigate AfriForum Youth’s complaint against a racist lecturer. Ideologically distorted and racist content that is shoved down students’ throats on our campuses must never be allowed,” adds Van der Vyver.

Meanwhile, AfriForum Youth’s complaint to the university is also being investigated by an independent law firm and the supplementary evidence will be submitted as a new complaint.

Issued by René van der Vyver, Spokesperson, AfriForum Youth, 21 September 2023