Thirteen students of the North West University are being investigated for being involved in a racist Facebook group which surfaced recently, a university spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Louis Jacobs said since the investigation into the membership of the group "Ek laaik nie 'n houtkop nie, sou what" (I do not like a 'houtkop', so what?) 13 NWU students had been identified as being involved.

He said statements from some of the students had been obtained and those outstanding were being handled as a matter of urgency.

"According to these statements, some students were allegedly unaware that their names had been submitted to this group, and these allegations are being investigated," said Jacobs.

Jacobs said since the matter became public knowledge the group was hijacked by a host of people opposing the racist views of the original members.

"Since Monday afternoon a large number of the original members have left the group."

Vice chancellor of the NWU, Theuns Eloff, reiterated a previous statement that the university strongly condemns the expressions of racism by the original group.

Jacobs said the university would finalise the investigation and institute disciplinary measures as soon as possible.

Sapa