The New Age reports that the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) said on Sunday that it would probe the incident of a white lecturer from the School of Mechanical Engineering who referred in email correspondence to striking workers at the institution as ‘monkeys’.  

The lecturer was allegedly referring to National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) members who were protesting at the university over a salary dispute on Thursday.  “Oh no, they are singing outside my window now. urgh. Monkeys. Biggest. Jungle. Connect the dots,” the email read.  Upon realising the mishap, the lecturer allegedly attempted to correct the message and later apologised for the incident.  “I completely concede that this was not funny and you have my apology.  Unreserved.  The line was crossed,” he indicated in a further email.  Wits spokesperson Shirona Patel said the university would investigate the allegations and, if true, expeditious disciplinary action would be taken against the lecturer in question.

• Read this report in full at The New Age

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