A white university student in South Africa who was filmed urinating on the belongings of a black first-year student and then bragging about it has been expelled.
Theuns du Toit, who was said to be drunk during the incident, was found guilty of racism by the authorities at Stellenbosch University.
He had urinated on Babalo Ndwayana’s laptop and other study material, calling calling him a “boy”.
The incident in May sparked outrage across the country and led to protests.
The university held a disciplinary hearing from 15 May, concluding it on 23 June.
Mr Ndwayana was absent during its proceedings, stating that the panel was not impartial. Eight witnesses testified before the Central Disciplinary Committee (CDC).
On Thursday, it found Mr du Toit guilty of contravening the university’s disciplinary code for students.
“The findings led the CDC to conclude that there is no alternative but to expel [the student] with immediate effect from the university,” the university said in a statement.
The student has five days to appeal against the decision.
“The university takes a zero-tolerance approach to racism, discrimination, prejudice and conduct which assails the dignity of another person,” Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, the university’s deputy vice-chancellor, said.
A police investigation into the matter is also under way.
