DUT INCIDENT

Dear Community Member

Durban University of Technology Incident

Alana Baranov and I met with the Vice Chancellor of the Durban University of Technology, Professor Ahmed Bawa, at his offices together with Head of Facilities Dr Chetty on Monday 9 February. The meeting was to discuss the upcoming event on campus for Leila Khaled hosted by BDS SA.

On Tuesday 10 February, the Deputy Secretary General of the SRC delivered a memorandum that had emerged from a collaboration between the SRC and the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) to Prof Bawa. Listed as one of their issues was a demand for the deregistration of Jewish students, particularly those students who do not support the Palestinian struggle. Prof Bawa responded in a letter to DUT students and staff saying that this was outrageous, preposterous and a deep violation of our National Constitution and every human rights principle and that no student at DUT would be discriminated against on the basis of religion, race, gender, political affiliation or sexual orientation.

Alana immediately requested that Prof Bawa issue an official statement on the matter. Prof Bawa has advised that his formal statement is currently being prepared.

Attached is an article appearing in the Daily News this evening.

The CKNJ will continue to update the community on this very serious issue.

Regards
RONNIE HERR
President