Hitler fan gets boot

Students protest outside the Great Hall at Wits University in Johannesburg after SRC president Mcebo Dlamini's declaration of admiration for German World War II dictator Adolf Hitler.

Photographer: Alon Skuy

Wits vice-chancellor Adam Habib dismissed Dlamini days after his well-publicised comments about his love for German mass murderer Adolf Hitler.

Dlamini told the student newspaper Vuvuzela that: "What I love about Hitler is his charisma and his capabilities to organise people. We need more leaders of such calibre."

In an e-mail to students, Habib said removing Dlamini from leadership of the SRC had nothing to do with his Hitler statement and was due to a finding of misconduct by a disciplinary panel in February.

"For the purposes of clarity, I would also like to state that the separate matter of Dlamini's recent declaration of admiration for the fascist leader, Adolf Hitler, and what I believe to be racist comments regarding whites, did not influence my decision to require him to step down," said Habib.

According to Dlamini, there was a physical altercation - "pushing and shoving"- between him and a complainant about a year-and-a-half ago, before he came into office.

He said the two forgave each other and the other student agreed to drop charges. He said the university initially agreed to allow this but later reversed its decision.

Dlamini said his role as SRC president allowed him to be "a servant for the poor black masses". He said "money has won" and believed Habib's decision was influenced by rich donors.

Wits spokesman Shirona Patel said the institution could not comment on the charge of misconduct as Dlamini's case remained under review.

According to the SRC constitution, a member of the SRC ceases to be a member if found guilty of misconduct by a student disciplinary committee, although the SRC member may appeal.

Dlamini appealed but was unsuccessful.

He said the constitution required the matter to be taken to a student forum, the vice-chancellor and finally the council of the university.

Patel agreed this was a typical procedure in some matters, but not in disciplinary hearings. Habib had consulted the chairman of council over his decision.

Habib said the Dlamini case was an object lesson in why more students should participate in the student council elections.