» Oprah matron to trial

» Oprah matron to trial

» Olympic terror threat

» Olympic terror threat

» MDC HQ raided

» MDC HQ raided

» 'End fighting in Iraq'

» 'End fighting in Iraq'

» SA happy to buy fakes

» Violence shuts school

Today, 25 April 2008

» Something for everyone

» Coins: Investing in Moodiba?

» Free yourself from debt

» No privacy for Boeremag 6

» Running on empty

Yesterday, 24 April 2008

» Cricket's facelift

» Skills shortage ‘massive’

» The new iafrica.com

» 1600 farm murders in SA

» Barker slams Safa

The University of Johannesburg will embark on a new security plan after a number of alleged racist attacks on campus in the last week, university management said on Thursday.

"Management has committed to a phased, revamped security plan that will be implemented with immediate effect," said UJ Vice Chancellor Professor Ihron Rensburg in a statement.

He said a consultative forum on security had been established between the student representative council, the staff unions and operations staff.

"Management has already decided to investigate possible disciplinary action against individuals who have been implicated in the recent incidents."

Last week, local SA Students Congress (Sasco) chairperson Xolani Mkhwemnte said there had recently been an outbreak of "racially motivated incidents" on the Kingsway campus.

These incidents, he said, included the beating up of black students by white students in the Egoli bar at Oppierief residence, harassment of black students walking home at night, and verbal and physical abuse of senior black Sasco members.

According to Sasco member Nazola Ndamase, who is also deputy president of the SA Union of Students, the incidents started just after the launch of the "Unite Against Racism" campaign at Kingsway campus (formerly RAU), where a Pledge against Racism was read and signed by students last week.

On Thursday, Rensburg said the university was planning to conduct a "culture audit" in the middle of 2008.

This would be followed by a series of "more focused interventions" with a cross-section of the university's "sub-communities".

The university would also intervene to regulate the induction process for new residence students to try curb abuse, including that which was racially motivated.

"The University of Johannesburg recognises that the creation of a new value system and cultural ethos in our institution, as part of a broader transformation programme, is itself a journey.

"There will be varying interpretations as to the speed at which we can complete this journey," he said.