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SA 'racist video' trial to start SA 'racist video' trial postponed
(about 6 hours later)
Four white former university students in South Africa who allegedly forced black campus employees to eat food soaked in urine are going on trial. The case against four white former students in South Africa who allegedly forced black campus employees to eat urine-soaked food has been postponed.
They face criminal charges after a video of the incident surfaced in 2008. A video of the incident surfaced in 2008 and they are accused of wilfully harming the employees' dignity through the use of racial gestures.
The footage also showed the ex-students instructing five elderly workers to drink beer and perform athletic tasks. The footage caused a national outcry at the time and anti-racism protests.
Reporters say a national outcry at the time put the University of Free State, which has predominantly white students, at the centre of a racial storm. The postponement until October has been allowed so lawyers for the accused can try for an out-of-court settlement.
Court officials confirmed to the BBC that the former students - Danie Grobler, Johnny Roberts, Schalk van der Merwe and RC Malherbe - would appear before the Bloemfontein District Court at the start of their trial on Wednesday. Bloemfontein District Court spokesperson Medupi Simasiku told the BBC that the court to allow the lawyers to make submission to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to reconsider prosecuting the former students.
Last year, lawyers for two of the students reportedly said the video was "no more than play-acting". He said if the DPP grants their request the matter would be settled outside court.
The video is believed to have been recorded in protest against the university's plans to integrate black and white students in the same residences. "The university and the workers would have to find an alternative resolution to the situation," he said.
Correspondents say the university has encountered difficulties trying to integrate people from other racial groups. But if the trial begins on 26 October and the former University of Free State students are found guilty they face either a fine or a suspended sentence, Mr Simasiku explained.
At the time the footage emerged, the institution's rector, Professor Frederick Fourie, expressed shock at the video and strongly condemned it.
AngerAnger
Black students and workers at the university staged protests calling for the students' expulsion. Mr Simasiku said three of the four ex-students were in court and all five of the complainants.
The video shows five black people allegedly being instructed by a group of white students to down full bottles of beer. In the video the campus employees - four women and a man - were allegedly forced to down full bottles of beer and perform athletic tasks
The university workers, four women and a man, are then led to a playing field where they are told to display their athletic skills. But it is the final extract of the film that most angered members of the public.
It is the final extract of the film that most angered members of the public.
It shows a white male urinating on food, and then shouting "Take! Take!" in Afrikaans - apparently forcing the campus employees to eat the dirty food, and causing them to vomit.It shows a white male urinating on food, and then shouting "Take! Take!" in Afrikaans - apparently forcing the campus employees to eat the dirty food, and causing them to vomit.
The video is believed to have been recorded in 2007 in protest against the university's plans to integrate black and white students in the same residences the following year.
Lawyers for two of the students down played the incident last year saying the video was "no more than play-acting".
Correspondents say the University of Free State, which has predominantly white students, has encountered difficulties trying to integrate people from other racial groups.
At the time the footage emerged, the institution's rector, Professor Frederick Fourie, expressed shock at the video and strongly condemned it.
Black students and workers at the university staged protests calling for the students' expulsion.
Last year, the South African Institute of Race Relations expressed concern that the incident could threaten general improvements in race relations since the end of apartheid in 1994.Last year, the South African Institute of Race Relations expressed concern that the incident could threaten general improvements in race relations since the end of apartheid in 1994.