Edwin Cameron, former Constitutional Court judge and rector of Stellenbosch University;
Judge Edwin Cameron, former Constitutional Court judge and president of Stellenbosch University, has broken his silence on the scandal that erupted at the university over the Wilgenhof House.
Cameron is Wilgenhoff's former “old boy.”
“At Stellenbosch University, there is no place for behavior or behavior that belittles, degrades or exercises unwarranted power over anyone,” he said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon.
Last week, News24 revealed that the man's home, which opened in 1903, had two so-called punishment rooms. Two weeks ago, the two rooms were raided by university officials and a number of items were seized, including black hoods and adulterated goods. There were also paintings of what appeared to be male sexual assaults, as well as photos of training dating back hundreds of years.
The university has launched an investigation, which will involve advocates and academics who will assess the seized items and documents.
Read | Adrien Basson: The strange case of Wilgenhof and Edwin Cameron
Prime Minister Cameron said he was saddened by the allegations that “degrading acts took place at Wilgenhof recently” and that “the allegations have spread far and wide” after News24 exposed the so-called punishment room in the man's residence. “Disappointment” was “completely justified”.
“I am also troubled by the suggestion that humiliating disciplinary procedures were forced upon me. In each case, to my knowledge, the university had already taken steps to prevent them. We strongly advocate Stellenbosch University's response to the revelations regarding Wilgenhof's history and past disciplinary procedures.”
“I have my wholehearted support. Stellenbosch University is emerging as one of the leading universities on the continent. Under the leadership of President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers, this university We are proud to be a more diverse university.'' We are a more tolerant and inclusive institution than before.
he added:
These traces of the past must be wiped away. The Rector and Vice-Chancellor have launched an investigation into its meaning and significance. I look forward to assisting with the investigation in any way within my power.
The raid on Wilgenhof comes after a former resident of Wilgenhof submitted to the university that he was teased about his penis size and forced to drink a toxic mixture of flaxseed oil and aloe crystals. , was submitted to the university in the wake of a 23-page report about the punishment he had to endure. A liquid that “smelled like urine” was then poured on his body.
The student then quit the university because he was “scared to death.”
Read | Inside the House of Horrors at Stellenbosch University
Prime Minister Cameron was appointed Prime Minister in 2020. That same year, he was recorded as saying at a Virgenhof Day gathering that “abuse has reoccurred” at his official residence, and that he was asked for his opinion on the constitutionality of initiation practices at the Virgenhof.
“I said we can go ahead with it as long as it is consensual and we have good information on the important points, not every detail. And the same thing is true for me. That seems to be the case.” Nagrite (night light). As long as there is informed consent, we can proceed,” he said at the time.
- If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article and would like to speak to someone, please contact the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) on 0800 456 789.