Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Equality Unit (EqU) is currently in the process of interviewing relevant parties about the Metanoia Residence “anointing” incident.
Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Equality Unit is currently in the process of interviewing relevant parties about the Metanoia Residence “anointing” incident, in which certain Metanoia residents’ doors were marked with oil. “Metanoia Residence’s disciplinary committee does not have jurisdiction over matters of such weight,” said Dave Binza, chairperson of Metanoia executive committee 2021/2022. “It is the Equality Unit’s mandate to assess and deal with issues of this nature, and our disciplinary committee will meticulously handle aspects of it referred back to us.” PHOTO: Giuseppe Rajkumar Guerandi
The incident involved the marking of certain Metanoia residents’ doors with oil, allegedly as part of a Christian prayer session, according to a MatieMedia article by Heléne Leonard. The marking of doors is believed to have taken place in the early hours of the morning on 3 October, according to Martin Viljoen, spokesperson of SU.
The interviews come two weeks after 22 students confirmed the incident in a document drafted and sent to the EqU, according to Leonard’s article.
“The investigation is still in the interview process and there have been no new developments,” said Viljoen, in email correspondence with MatieMedia. “It is important to be thorough when investigating any complaint. This might mean that the investigation, depending on the type of incident reported, may take up more time.”
Various residents of Metanoia found oil crosses drawn on their doors after an alleged “anointing” took place in the early hours of the morning on 3 October. GALLERY: Supplied/Colenso Holder and Alex Verson
Investigative process
Among the students interviewed about the incident by the EqU this past week was Liam Jackson, a third-year resident of Metanoia. Jackson told MatieMedia that they identified seven oil crosses on their door in the aftermath of the incident.
“It seems to me that [the EqU] are acquiring evidence, like statements and such, as a means of corroborating the story,” said Jackson.
Investigations of this nature typically go through a six-step procedure, according to the official website of the EqU. The EqU and executive committee of Metanoia both declined to provide further comment on the investigation at this time, as it is still ongoing.
The case officer for the investigation was recently on leave until today, 27 October, according to Adrian Paulse, administrative officer at the EqU.
Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Equality Unit is currently in the process of interviewing relevant parties about the Metanoia Residence “anointing” incident, in which certain Metanoia residents’ doors were marked with oil. “Once the [Equality] Unit has completed its own internal investigation, a recommendation is made on the way forward,” explains Martin Viljoen, spokesperson of SU. “This may include a disciplinary inquiry, mediation, dispute resolution or a referral to the appropriate line function for intervention.” PHOTO: Giuseppe Rajkumar Guerandi
The affected students
For Janke Mostert, an openly queer third-year resident of Metanoia, the situation has been upsetting.
“I believe that had these not been Christian students […], this would’ve been a much larger and honestly much more talked about issue,” claimed Mostert, in reference to the group of students who allegedly marked the doors with oil. “I think it’s really not okay that we are giving the benefit of the doubt to people who did not make their intentions clear.”
Janke Mostert, an openly queer third-year resident of Metanoia, expresses concern over the Metanoia Residence “anointing” incident, in which certain Metanoia residents’ doors were marked with oil. AUDIO: Giuseppe Rajkumar Guerandi
Jackson described the incident as “unsettling”.
“I think as a queer person, I have experiences with things like this, […] whether it’s spiritually invasive or ideologically invasive,” said Jackson. “I think that I have trauma with that.”
Jackson told MatieMedia that they hope the investigation will move swiftly, and ensure the incident is addressed. “It’s still so fresh in my memory. [I] don’t really know what I want to come of this, but I do know something must.”
In the official complaint document submitted to the Equality Unit of Stellenbosch University, it is alleged that some residents of Metanoia marked other residents’ doors with oil crosses, particularly the doors of “several LGBTQ+ and religious minority students”. DOCUMENT: Supplied/Colenso Holder