Emeritus Stellenbosch University professor arrested after racist, sexist incident

Author and retired Stellenbosch University professor Leon de Kock has been charged with crimen injuria after an employee at an Observatory restaurant opened a case with police following an unpleasant run-in with him.

According to the Cape Times, De Kock was arrested in the area last week after he allegedly called a restaurant employee the k-word and made sexual advances towards another woman.

The publication cited a witness account of the incident, before adding that De Kock’s son Luke had taken to the comments to apologise for his father’s behaviour in a post on Facebook. In his explanation, Luke reportedly added that his father had been institutionalised following the outburst.

Police confirmed that the suspect had appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Friday and was subsequently released on a warning to appear in court at his next court date.

“A 62-year-old-man was arrested on Thursday, May 9, shortly after an incident of crimen injuria was reported to have been committed at a known restaurant in Lower Main Road, Observatory. It has been alleged by the complainant that while a female employee was busy cleaning the restaurant, the suspect made racial and offensive remarks to her,” said police spokesperson FC Van Wyk.

“Stellenbosch University is investigating the complaints it has received pertaining to the conduct of Professor Leon de Kock, an emeritus professor of the institution,” said Stellenbosch University spokesperson Martin Viljoen in a statement, before adding that the institution would not be able to comment on matters of his health.

De Kock reportedly took early retirement from Stellenbosch University in 2015, thus earning his title as professor emeritus in English studies.

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(Compiled by Kaunda Selisho)

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