Former Constitutional Court judge and chancellor of Stellenbosch University Edwin Cameron.

Judge Edwin Cameron, the retired Constitutional Court justice and chancellor of Stellenbosch University, has broken his silence about the scandal that has erupted at the institution over the Wilgenhof residence.

Cameron is a former “old boy” of Wilgenhof.

“There can be no place at Stellenbosch University for any practice or behaviour that belittles, degrades or exerts undue power over anyone,” he said in a statement released on Tuesday afternoon.

Last week, News24 revealed the existence of two so-called punishment rooms at the men’s residence, which opened its doors in 1903. The two rooms were raided by university staff two weeks ago, who confiscated a host of items, including black hoods, crude drawings depicting what appeared to be male sexual assault, and photographs of initiation practices dating back hundreds of years.

An investigation has been launched by the university, which will include an advocate and academic experts assessing the seized items and documents.

READ | Adriaan Basson: Wilgenhof and the curious case of Edwin Cameron

Cameron said he was distressed by the allegations that “humiliating practices took place at Wilgenhof in the recent past” and that the “widespread dismay” following News24’s exposé of so-called punishment rooms at the men’s residence was “fully justified”.

“I am also distressed by suggestions that humiliating disciplinary processes were enforced. In both cases, to my knowledge the university had already taken steps to stop these. I strongly affirm Stellenbosch University’s response to the revelations about Wilgenhof’s history and past disciplinary processes.”

“These have my heartfelt support. Stellenbosch University is emerging as one of the leading universities on our continent. I am proud of the fact that, under rector and vice-chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers’ leadership, the university is a much more diverse, tolerant and inclusive institution than it once was.

He added:

The raid on Wilgenhof was prompted by a 23-page report submitted to the university by a former resident of Wilgenhof about the punishment he had to endure, including being mocked about penis size, forced to drink a toxic mixture of linseed oil and aloe crystals, and having a liquid with a “urine-like odour” being poured over his body.

The student has since left the university because he is “dead scared”.

READ | Inside Stellenbosch University’s house of horrors

Cameron was appointed chancellor in 2020. In the same year, he was recorded telling a Wilgenhof Day gathering that “abuses returned” at the residence and that he was asked for his views on the constitutionality of initiation practices at Wilgenhof.

“I said as long as it’s consensual, properly informed in material respects – not in all details – that it can proceed. And the same seems to me to be true of the Nagligte (night lights). That if there is informed consent, then it can proceed,” he said at the time.

• If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article and you need someone to talk to, please contact the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) on 0800 456 789.