Shaun Christie found not guilty on four out of five charges – AfriForum Youth prepares to monitor 2025 orientation programmes

31 May 2024  

Disruption of a university programme – this is ultimately all that Shaun Christie, a law student in his final year at North-West University, could be found guilty of this week in the protracted disciplinary process against him. Christie was given a suspended sentence today. AfriForum Youth provided Christie with legal representation. The organisation considers the outcome positive but emphasises that it is now preparing to take on a watchdog role at universities’ orientation programmes next year.

This week’s verdict follows after Christie was suspended in January this year following his public objection to the content of an orientation session.

Christie was later charged with disrupting a university programme; committing hate speech; violating the rights of the speaker of the relevant session; hostile treatment of the LGBTQIAP + community; and making false statements regarding the university’s alleged intolerance of Christian values. He was found not guilty of all the charges, except for disrupting a university programme.

“Under the circumstances, we are very satisfied with the verdict,” says Ronald Peters, AfriForum Youth Manager. “The charge sheet against Christie was extensive and raised concerns about university management’s abuse of power and victimisation of students who stand up against injustice. There is still a lot of work to be done to eradicate this abuse, but the outcome of Christie’s case is already a step in the right direction.”

Christie thanked AfriForum Youth and the legal team of Hurter & Spies for their support. “Thank you for believing in this case. Thank you for protecting the voice of the youth and empowering us to stand up for what is right without being intimidated by threats.”

The disciplinary process that followed against Christie did not scrutinise the university's actions in the composition of the orientation programme or allegations of preferential treatment to certain groups. Therefore, AfriForum Youth has committed itself to monitoring the orientation programmes at public universities to prevent discrimination in selecting organisations or individuals for participation in the programmes.

Issued by Ronald Peters, Manager: AfriForum Youth, 31 May 2024