Former Stellenbosch Student Theuns du Toit Found Not Guilty in Urination Case Despite Public Outcry
In a verdict that has stunned many across South Africa, Theuns du Toit, the former Stellenbosch University student at the centre of a viral urination incident, has been found not guilty of both crimen injuria and malicious damage to property by the Stellenbosch Magistrate’s Court.
The charges stemmed from a highly publicized 2022 incident in which Du Toit was caught on video urinating on the belongings of Babalo Ndwayana, a Black fellow student, inside a university residence. The footage, widely circulated on social media, ignited nationwide outrage and sparked widespread accusations of racism, reigniting debates on racial inequality in South Africa’s higher education institutions.
Court Acquits — But University Had Already Acted
While the court has now acquitted Du Toit—with the specific reasons for the verdict not disclosed—his actions were previously deemed unacceptable by Stellenbosch University, which expelled him after a disciplinary process found he had violated the institution’s code of conduct.
“Stellenbosch acted swiftly, but justice in the legal system has taken a different route,” noted one legal analyst.
Public Reaction: Shock, Anger, and Renewed Debate
Social justice groups, students, and members of the public have expressed shock and disappointment at the court’s ruling, viewing it as a failure to hold individuals accountable for actions with racially charged undertones.
“This wasn’t just about a mattress or a desk—it was about dignity, race, and power,” said one student protester outside the courthouse.
Legal Outcome vs. Social Consequence
Although Du Toit walks free in the eyes of the law, his name remains linked to one of the most controversial student incidents in recent memory. His acquittal raises critical questions about how the South African justice system interprets intent, harm, and race-based conduct, particularly in high-profile cases.
Does a court’s “not guilty” verdict erase the social harm done? South Africa remains divided as the legal dust settles.
