Wits’ swift action against Professor Srila Roy follows a social media post condemning South Africans’ work ethic. The Portfolio Committee demands her dismissal, citing unacceptable and derogatory remarks.
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The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has called for the dismissal of Professor Srila Roy, the head of the Sociology Department at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), following a controversial social media post in which she criticised what she described as South Africans' "poor work ethic."
“South Africans have little ambition, are complacent, and have a poor work ethic,” she said.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Tebogo Letsie, condemned Professor Roy’s remarks as “unacceptable,” adding that they were “offensive, derogatory, and undermined the dignity of many South Africans.”
He emphasised that such views should have no place in higher education, particularly from someone in a leadership position, such as a head of department.
“These statements reflect deeply troubling views that cannot simply be overlooked,” Letsie said.
He further stated that the matter warranted serious consequences, noting that a mere demotion would not suffice if the allegations were substantiated.
“We cannot tolerate individuals who openly express views that are widely regarded as discriminatory and then expect to continue shaping young minds and leading academic departments,” he added.
In response to the incident, Wits University has swiftly placed Roy on precautionary suspension as an investigation into the matter got underway. The university has yet to make a final decision on her status.
However, the Department of Sociology at Wits has condemned the tweet in the strongest possible terms, calling it “offensive, racist, and indefensible.”
The department acknowledged the profound impact of the tweet, especially on Black South Africans, noting that the “intensity of the responses to the tweet reflects the visceral pain it has caused.”
In a statement, the department rejected Roy’s remarks outright, emphasising that they were inconsistent with the department’s core values, which include care, collegiality, trust, respect, accountability, integrity, and a firm commitment to anti-racism, anti-sexism, and anti-classism.
“We reject the damaging presumption of division between South Africans and others ('foreigners') that is implied in the tweet,” the department said. “
''Such sentiments serve only to reproduce polariSation in our society, which we cannot support.”
The department reiterated its ongoing commitment to building a public African university that promotes human flourishing while rejecting all forms of discrimination, including racism, xenophobia, sexism, and classism.
In light of the controversy, the department requested that Roy step down from her role as Head of Department, a request she has since fulfilled.
While the investigation continues, Letsie commended the university's swift response, highlighting that it demonstrated the seriousness with which the matter was being handled.
He stressed that if Roy’s conduct was found to be inconsistent with the university’s values, it would be untenable for her to remain in a leadership position.
“Leadership must reflect the values of equality, fairness, and respect,” Letsie stated.
He also reiterated that universities must not be platforms for advancing exclusion or discrimination.
Letsie went on to mention that the committee had received several concerns from both the university community and the public, raising allegations that South Africans may have been unfairly excluded from opportunities within Roy’s department.
He emphasised that these allegations needed to be thoroughly investigated and stressed that accountability in such matters must be “decisive.”
“We are determined to restore integrity, fairness, and accountability. No one is above scrutiny,” Letsie said.
“Our higher education institutions must remain spaces of dignity, fairness, and transformation for all South Africans.”
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