Cape Town - UCT Exposed, the self-proclaimed side of the university “they don’t want you to see”, ironically might not be seen again.
After just two days, the blog and Facebook page have been taken down.
The site first started doing the rounds online after users complained about its slanderous content.
Posts on the gossip blog, set up by an anonymous user, ranged from teasing a student about her fashion sense and weight to “uncovering” another student’s alleged racist conversation on Facebook.
“When your GPA is the same number as your age, you know you are screwed,” wrote the blogger underneath an image of what appeared to be a struggling student’s grades.
Rather than keep the subjects of the posts anonymous, as has been the case with sites such as the intimate UCT Confessions page, the blogger included names and even pictures in every post.
A student mentioned on the blog has filed a complaint with UCT’s campus protection services.
The site was divided into a variety of sections including, “Rumour Has It”, “Public Access Hall of Shame” and “Slet Appiel”.
Most users said they were disgusted by the site and called for the owner to be sued for defamation or expelled from campus.
“Things like UCT Exposed make me not want to answer the question, ‘which university do you go to’,” wrote a user on Twitter.
The African Christian Democratic Party lashed out at the blog, warning it had the potential to do a lot of harm.
The blogger seemed to realise the site was not a hit and promptly shut it down.
While the Facebook page has disappeared, the blog has been turned into an invite-only group.
But searches reveal that the posts have been deleted.
UCT spokesperson Patricia Lucas said students and staff members at the university were angry that the blog had published insulting and defamatory reports.
She suggested the reports may have been fabricated and that the issue was being investigated.
“We will support students who are the victims of such fabrications. We manage each case on an individual basis and legal recourse is possible.”
Lucas advised students to report offensive sites.
Users on Twitter celebrated the site’s early demise.
“The troll is cracked! Thank you for acting; reporting abuse,” wrote one user.
However, a Twitter handle linked to the blog promised that the site would be up again soon.
“Oh we are coming back, brace yourselves.” - Cape Argus