Wits council finds SRC president guilty of misconduct
BRAAMFONTEIN – The Council of the University of the Witwatersrand learned of the outcome of the review of the disciplinary decision against the former Students’ Representative Council (SRC)president Mcebo Dlamini.
The Council of Wits University has recently learned of the outcome of the review of the disciplinary decision against the former Students’ Representative Council (SRC) president Mcebo Dlamini.
There were two charges relating to events which occurred in 2014.
“On the first charge, the Independent Appeal and Review Committee confirmed the finding of the Student Discipline Committee that he was guilty of misconduct,” said chairperson of council of the Wits University Randall Carolissen in a statement.
Carolissen added that the committee did not uphold a second charge relating to another 2014 incident.
“On the basis of the confirmation of the first finding, the council hereby confirms the Vice-Chancellor’s decision to require him to stand down from the SRC. He will remain a student at Wits,” Carolissen said.
On his comments about Hitler
This process has nothing to do with Dlamini’s Hitler comments, confirmed Carolissen.
The chairperson maintained that after complaints were received, the legal office undertook a thorough investigation.
“On the basis of existing case evidence, the legal office found that Dlamini’s utterances did not breach the exceptions to the Constitution regarding freedom of speech.”
Carolissen also highlighted that the institution still holds the view that Dlamini’s remarks were abhorrent and not in standing with the values of this institution.
He said the institution remains embarrassed that one of its own, could have made such comments. “However, given its commitment to freedom of speech as espoused in the Constitution, the University is committed to providing a space for the free exchange of ideas, whether or not it agrees with those ideas.
“While on this occasion, the matter is not being taken any further, the university takes allegations which infringe on the dignity of members of the Wits community and wider society very seriously. It also takes its reputation very seriously,” he explained.
“The university is of the view that these matters have now run their course and are considered closed,” concluded Carolissen.
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