Majuba: JD's mom speaks out

2003-05-23 11:40

Thinus Ferreira

Cape Town - "JD knows he acted improperly, but he acted according to the dictates of his heart. He was following instructions from the house committee."

So said Marelize Möller of Carnavon on Thursday, speaking about her son JD Möller, 20.

A controversy erupted around Möller, committee member of Stellenbosch University Majuba men's residence and a prop for the national under-21 rugby side.

He was one of three students who allegedly assaulted fellow residents on April 23.

Möller apparently told his mother they had simply pushed Carl Beyers and Philip Botha around a bit.

Mrs Möller said: "JD isn't aggressive at all. He's an incredibly soft person."

"To single them out now for what happened is wrong. It happens every day in residences in Stellenbosch and elsewhere," she said.

"These kids tried to keep things out of the papers for the sake of the residence. It was something harmless that went wrong."

Attack was about dagga, says JD's mom

She said he'd told her about the incident immediately after it had happened. Resident master Du Toit Malan also phoned her to say he was aware of the incident.

"We're very proud of JD. My husband and I both went to Stellenbosch. We're aware of Stellenbosch traditions.

"JD has said from the beginning that Majuba is his home and he won't allow bad things to happen in his home.

"He acted according to the dictates of his heart and the trust put in him. He didn't do it impulsively - he was given instructions by the committee, and he followed them.

"That the attack was motivated by racism or homophobia is out of the question. It was about dagga smoking," she said.

She said she and her husband Christo were "very upset, but feel better after things were put into perspective for us".

"We went to the residence two weeks ago and spoke to everyone. Naturally, one doesn't approve of such actions, but that boy worked hard to be where he is today," she said.

"He acted in his capacity as a member of the Majuba house committee, which gave the order. It would be very unfair if he was dropped from the team."

- Die Burger