Bloemfontein - The University of the Free State (UFS) and its Rector Prof Jonathan Jansen are engaging with lawyers on a R1 million damages claim from two former students, it said on Friday.
“Prof Jansen and the senior leadership of the UFS are in discussion with the university's legal representatives, who advised that the matter not be discussed in public at this time,” spokeswoman Lacea Loader said in a statement.
The UFS acknowledged a letter of demand from former students Cobus Muller and Charl Blom, who want compensation of R500 000 each after apparently being excluded from campus.
They are claiming the money from Jansen and the UFS for damages including wasted expenses, delayed access to the labour market, and impairment of their dignity and reputation.
Last year, the Bloemfontein Regional Court found them not guilty of an attack on fellow student Muzi Gwebu on the UFS's Bloemfontein campus.
Muller had faced charges of reckless driving, crimen injuria, attempted murder and assault, while Blom had faced a charge of assault. Both pleaded not guilty to all charges.
AfriForum Youth chairman Henk Maree said on Thursday: “Muller and Blom were barred from campus without procedure or trial and never given an opportunity to state their case.
“During this time they were publicly labelled as criminals. They could not continue their post-graduate studies or attend their graduation ceremony.”
The UFS did not respond when asked which university policy or procedures were applied when the pair were allegedly excluded from campus.
Maree said: “The future of two students cannot be the price for political gain. Because of this, it's with the greatest gravity that AfriForum Youth will support Muller and Blom.”
Sapa