White UFS students accused of assaulting black colleague want N100m compensation

Two former students of the University of the Free State (UFS), Charl Blom and Cobus Muller, have sued the institution seeking nearly N100m in compensation.

Blom and Muller, who were suspended in 2014 for allegedly assaulting a black student on campus, are suing the university and rector, Jonathan Jansen, for 6,150,000 South African rands (approximately N98,880,470.34).

A black student, Muzi Gwebu, had claimed they tried to run him over with their bakkie on the campus in February 2015 and assaulted him when he confronted them.

But the Bloemfontein Regional Court had found both not guilty of the charges of reckless driving, crimen injuria, attempted murder, and assault last year.

Now, the former students want compensation; R500 000 each for defamation in an email sent to all UFS students about the matter and R150 000 for expenses incurred.

UFS has through its spokesperson, Lacea Loader said the institution will fight 'vigorously'.

"On the advice of legal counsel, the university plans to vigorously oppose the claims of the former students," he said.

"When all the evidence is made public, the university believes that those claims will be found to be without merit."

AfriForum Jeug, the official youth section of AfriForum, the civil rights initiative established by Solidarity, is helping Blom and Muller pursue the case.