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Prega Govender

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A punishment room and "Hool 88", a room containing equipment and documents depicting abusive practices, have been uncovered at Wilgenhof residence.

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Crude drawings depicting what appears to be male sexual assault, black hoods and a toxic mixture of linseed oil and aloe crystals allegedly used to bring on acute diarrhea. These were among the shocking items discovered in two rooms at Stellenbosch University's oldest men's residence, Wilgenhof.

Also among the items confiscated from the residence was an "indemnity form" signed in 2023, that gave a private company owned by former Wilgenhof students the authority to conduct "boot-camp style exercise programs" that may lead to injuries "and possible death".

News24 has obtained more than 30 photographs taken during a surprise audit by the university’s management of two secret rooms at the Wilgenhof residence. Staff found the items in two rooms that the university said in a statement on Thursday "still need to be considered to understand the nature and context thereof".

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