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News broke last week of several secret rooms at one of Stellenbosch University’s male residences.

The News24 report revealed that when university management accessed the rooms at the Wilgenhof residence, they found a disturbing selection of drawings and photographs that appeared to show decades of assault and sexual abuse at the all-male residence.

The university said in a statement that it “undertook an audit of spaces and facilities at the Wilgenhof residence”, during which time, the items were found. While the university did not release any further details about the nature of the items, News24 reported that graphic images, sketches and written descriptions of “punishment” inflicted in this residence are among the items found behind the locked doors of Wilgenhof residence, with rooms painted in black and disturbing graffiti all over.

Reference was also made to the “horrific abuse” to which some of the residents were subjected.

News24 has obtained pictures showing what Stellenbosch University found at Wilgenhof

Among the items are crude drawings depicting what appears to be male sexual assault & a log book detailing activities of the disciplinary committee called the Nagligte. https://t.co/HALcBh4ywi

— News24 🇿🇦 (@News24) January 25, 2024

According to News24, the Wilgenhof Alumni Association said in response to SU’s statement that the items “were found in an archive spanning a period of more than 100 years”.

“The content forms part of Wilgenhof’s history and has therefore been preserved.

“As is often the case with historical artifacts, some of the content may offend or be misunderstood if not explained in the correct historical context,” the letter said.

“We contacted SU and offered to provide the necessary historical context in this regard. However, we have not seen the items and therefore cannot fully comment on the content.”

Zethu Gqola read the pay-walled News24 article for all of us on TikTok:

@zethugqola Wilgenhof residence, Stellenbosch University. #tiktoknews #southafrica #stellenbosch #truecrime ♬ original sound – Zethu

The university stated that a panel consisting of the university’s Deputy Registrar of Governance, Ethics, and Compliance, an experienced independent Advocate from the Cape Bar, and a former experienced university executive in higher education will review the items and advise on the next steps.

‘The disturbing items have been removed and stored for safekeeping. These two rooms have been repainted and will be used for their intended purpose,’ SU said in a statement.

The panel are expected to submit a report by the end of February, according to IOL.