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The University of the Free State is embroiled in a racism controversy after a lecturer allegedly referred to students as "monkeys" during a lecture, prompting an investigation and calls for action from students.
The incident is said to have taken place on March 18 during an EBUS1514 public relations class.
Students who attended the session claimed confusion arose when some believed the lecture had ended and began talking among themselves. According to one student, the situation escalated when a classmate asked the lecturer to speak louder.
“A student asked the lecturer to speak up, and she responded by saying, ‘Well, you try teaching a class of monkeys',” the student said.
“Some students left the lecture venue shortly after.”
The alleged remark has sparked anger among students, with calls for the university to take firm action.
Lacea Loader, university spokesperson, confirmed the institution was aware of the incident and had launched an investigation.
“The University of the Free State is investigating the matter involving an alleged inappropriate remark made by a lecturer during the EBUS1514 lecture on 18 March 2026,” Loader said.
“The matter is treated with the utmost seriousness, and the investigation is conducted in strict accordance with due process and the university’s employee relations protocols.”
She added that measures are in place to ensure that teaching and learning continue while the investigation is underway.
“The university has put the necessary mechanisms in place to address the matter while ensuring continuity of academic activities."
The incident has also revived scrutiny over previous controversies at the institution.
In 2023, René van der Vyver, AfriForum youth spokesperson, accused Dr Pedro Mzileni of being divisive and also stoking racial division and hostility.
Mzileni, a lecturer in the Department of Sociology, was accused of referring to white people as "land thieves" and making other alleged inflammatory statements.
However, in February this year the Human Rights Commission dismissed the hate speech complaint lodged by AfriForum against Mzileni.