Lawyers for the University of Free State have apparently identified grounds for possible criminal charges against students who made a racially offensive video on campus, the rector, Frederick Fourie, said yesterday.

Lawyers for the University of Free State have apparently identified grounds for possible criminal charges against students who made a racially offensive video on campus, the rector, Frederick Fourie, said yesterday.

The video, featuring black employees at the university (UFS) on their knees, eating food that had been urinated on by white students, sparked outrage across the political spectrum.

Filmed last year by students from the Reitz men's residence, it depicts the mock initiation of five black staff members in hostel activities, and refers to the UFS' diversity policy for campus residences.

Fourie told journalists in Bloemfontein yesterday that the "process was going" in terms of steps taken against the culprits.

"We are very serious about doing that right," he said.

Fourie said the two students still living in the hostel were expelled from the campus but not the university because a legal process still had to be put in place.

On the possible closure of the hostel, he said emotions were running high, but management felt strongly that it should be closed. An official decision on the closure had not been made because legal processes had to be followed. - Sapa

lTo see the video, go to www.sowetan.co.za