Reitz: Restorative justic underway
2010-01-23 13:11
Bloemfontein - A process of restorative justice, which could mean that the prosecution of the Reitz four students on charges of crimen injuria could be dropped eventually has started, the Volksblad newspaper reported on Friday.
A committee of three, under the chairmanship of the head probation officer of social development in Bloemfontein, Riaan du Plessis, has been elected to try and resolve the matter by way of alternative dispute resolution.
The four former students RC Malherbe, Johnny Roberts, Schalk van der Merwe and Danie Grobler of the now closed Reitz men's residence, are accused of humiliating five black staff members in an initiation-type ceremony in 2007, which they filmed.
The report said the dates on which the Reitz Four and the five workers would get together for the process would be February 11 and 12.
The two groups would get information sessions and time to prepare for the meeting two days before.
Du Plessis would then compile a report and the two parties would decide if they agree with it.
The process entails asking for forgiveness, receiving forgiveness and restorative compensation.
Du Plessis would report back to the court before or on February 24 when the four students have to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court again.
- SAPA
