Racists surface on Facebook

2008-10-06 21:41

Bloemfontein - The North West University (NWU) on Monday expressed shock over the existence of a racist group on Facebook and the involvement of some of its students as officers of the group.

NWU spokesperson Louis Jacobs said the institution was appalled by the existence of the group on the social network website.

"The university has already started with an investigation into the matter, with the view of instituting possible disciplinary steps against them (students)."

It was reported that the group called "ek laaik nie 'n houtkop nie, sou what" (I do not like a 'houtkop', so what?) contains inflammatory comments posted by members.

The group apparently also showed a photograph of a young white man holding a gun while posing over the trophy of a young black boy lying on the ground.

Facebook and the group's administrators were alerted of the photo and it was removed from the site.

Vice-Chancellor of the NWU, Theuns Eloff, said the actions of students encouraging racial hatred or violence against other race groups, were in conflict with the values of the university.

Eloff said the fact that the students participated in the group in their private capacity did not diminish the seriousness of their actions.

The NWU has also asked Facebook, officially, to close down the group.

- SAPA