The Council of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) has condemned the tweets of a student saying that Rhodes Memorial must “burn to the ground”.
UWC student Bulumko Mpambani, tweeted: “Let it burn to the ground,” in response to a tweet from former student Zanokuhle Mayaphi.
The pair were tweeting about the Cape Town wildfires which affected areas around Table Mountain, including buildings on the UCT campus.
On Tuesday, the chairperson of the UWC Council Yasmin Forbes released a statement saying: “The Council has asked the Executive Management Committee (EMC) of UWC to investigate the matter thoroughly, and hold those who made the unfortunate remarks to account.”
Forbes added: “We trust the rector and vice-chancellor, and the deputy vice-chancellor: student development and support will deal with the matter with necessary due diligence, aligned to the well-established governance protocols and processes at the university.”
Forbes also passed on UWC’s solidarity with it’s sister institution.
“As a Council our thoughts are with UCT vice-chancellor Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng and her management team, the students and staff of this important institution in South African society.
“We applaud the efforts of our brave firefighters, the volunteers, all those who made generous donations, and the community at large who have been affected by the devastating fires,” said Forbes.
Mpambami has since deleted the tweets.