The University of Mpumalanga has strongly condemned a social media video that makes degrading and sexual comments about its female students. According to the university, the video was recorded and shared in late 2024. The institution's spokesperson, Tlangelani Ubisi, stated that the university disapproved of the man's comments when the video first appeared online in 2024 and asked him to take it down.
The video, created by a man claiming to be Nigerian, shows him arriving at the university campus and making derogatory comments about the institution's name and its female students. He approaches a security guard, requesting to see the girls' hostel, claiming he has a surprise for them. However, he is stopped by the security manager and later speaks with Ubisi, who asks him about his intentions.
The content creator had approached the university under the guise of engaging with students to hear about their experiences at UMP. However, the final product contains distasteful sexual comments. The university expressed disapproval of the derogatory comments when the video was shared on social media in 2024 and requested for it to be removed.
The university is taking the matter seriously and has called on the content creator to immediately remove the video from all platforms under their control and to issue a public apology to the affected students and the university. The video creates the impression that female students are not safe on the institution's campuses, which the university has described as untrue.
According to Ubisi, the safety of students remains an important priority for the university. The institution is reviewing and strengthening measures relating to access to its campuses and the recording and use of content involving students, with the aim of protecting the dignity, privacy, and safety of students.
As the video continues to circulate despite the university's earlier request for it to be taken down, the institution is considering legal action and will pursue appropriate remedies. These may include civil proceedings against the content creator and, where legally justified, against people who unlawfully republish or keep sharing the video.
The university is also looking at a possible crimen injuria complaint against the content creator, and other remedies open to the university and the affected students under South African law. The institution aims to ensure legitimate engagement with students can continue while protecting their dignity, privacy, and safety.
Key points
- The University of Mpumalanga has condemned a social media video making degrading and sexual comments about its female students.
- The university has demanded that the content creator remove the video and issue a public apology.
- The institution is considering legal action, including civil proceedings and a possible crimen injuria complaint.
