Mother Speaks Out After Son’s Room Is Trashed At Stellenbosch University Following Alleged Racist Incident

A Stellenbosch mother says she is devastated and angry after her son’s residence room at Stellenbosch University was allegedly ransacked following tensions around a student football derby.

The incident, which reportedly took place earlier this week at Majuba Men’s Residence, is now under investigation by both the university and the South African Police Service.

For the mother, education activist Vanessa Le Roux, the experience has been deeply unsettling and has reopened painful conversations about race, belonging and safety at South African universities.

Tensions Around A Student Football Derby

According to Le Roux, the conflict began building around student football activities at the residence.

Her son, who is involved in coaching football at the university, had initially spent time living in a private residence off campus before moving into Majuba Men’s Residence. This year, he decided to focus his coaching efforts on a team linked to the residence.

Le Roux believes tensions started to grow in the lead-up to a derby match between residence teams.

She told media that several students of colour in the residence had strong football backgrounds and were enthusiastic about the team, while others appeared less interested.

In the days leading up to the match, she claims there was an uncomfortable atmosphere among some students.

On the day of the game, she said the environment felt noticeably different, with unusually intense support from some sections of the residence.

Although the match itself came to an end, Le Roux claims the tension surrounding it did not disappear.

Room Allegedly Ransacked After The Match

Le Roux says the situation escalated when her son and friends later returned to the residence.

According to her account, they discovered his room had been completely trashed.

She described furniture being removed from its place, items thrown across the floor and the room left in disarray.

The alleged damage left the family shocked and upset, especially as she claims residence leadership had prior knowledge that tensions were building.

Le Roux said she later confronted residence leaders after learning they were aware that some students were unhappy with her son.

As a single parent who has raised her son since he was a toddler, she said the experience has been deeply painful and frightening.

She also claimed she fears for her son’s safety and believes he may need to move out of the residence.

Police Confirm Investigation

The South African Police Service confirmed that the matter has been formally reported.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said Stellenbosch police have opened a burglary case following the incident on March 2.

According to Twigg, the complainant reported that furniture had been removed from the residence room. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

No arrests have been made at this stage.

Police have asked anyone who may have information about the incident to come forward.

Stellenbosch University Responds

Stellenbosch University has confirmed that it is aware of the incident and that an internal process has been launched.

University spokesperson Martin Viljoen said the institution is cooperating with the police investigation and has also activated its own internal procedures.

These include engagement with residence leadership and students at Majuba Residence while the matter is reviewed.

Viljoen said the university condemns incidents that infringe on the rights of others but also emphasised the importance of allowing its internal processes to run their course.

A University Still Wrestling With Its Past

The latest allegations come against the backdrop of previous racism controversies at Stellenbosch University.

In 2022, the institution faced widespread criticism after a video surfaced showing a student urinating on another student’s belongings inside a residence room at Huis Marais.

The victim, Babalo Ndwayana, discovered the incident after waking up to find his laptop and books damaged. The video quickly spread online and sparked national outrage.

That case reignited debates across South Africa about transformation, residence culture and racial tensions at historically Afrikaans universities.

For many observers, the latest incident raises renewed questions about whether campuses that carry complicated histories have done enough to address issues of race, belonging and student safety.

As investigations continue, both police and the university will now need to determine exactly what happened inside Majuba Residence and whether those responsible will be held accountable.

{Source:IOL}

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