Rhodes addresses students' concerns

Task teams ‘already in place’, writes Devon Koen

FOLLOWING a week of tense protests against rape and sexual violence at Rhodes University, vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela addressed students yesterday.

Mabizela said university task teams were already in place to deal with policy and procedure issues for handling incidents of sexual assault and rape.

“Rhodes University has committed to address our policies and protocols to ensure we rid our institution of the pernicious scourge of sexual violence and rape and provide a safe, secure and supportive space for survivors of rape and sexual violence,” he said.

However, he disagreed with a list of names of alleged rapists being widely circulated on campus and social media, saying the manner in which this had been done was “extremely damaging and unconstitutional”.

“Rhodes University cannot condone the sharing of such information, which is a complete violation of another’s rights.”

The task teams set up by Mabizela – which include staff members and students – would look at how to address the issues raised during the protests and would make recommendations about the way in which survivors could be heard “in a safe, confidential, supportive space”.

During a media conference students gathered outside the venue chanting and singing, before holding their own impromptu press conference where members of the movement reiterated their demands while answering questions from the media.

Rhodes student representative council representative Zweli Hlatshwayo said the SRC represented all students at Rhodes and it was important for it to remain impartial.

He said the SRC was aware that one person named on the list was an SRC member.

“There are two ways to go. The member can step down in his personal capacity or he can be removed from his post by means of a vote of no confidence,” he said, but added that substantial evidence was needed.

According to Rhodes management, only two cases of rape have been officially reported this year.

Mabizela said the university was in full solidarity with any student who had been a victim of sexual violence or rape, but reiterated that a person was presumed innocent until found guilty, “as is written in section 35 of our constitution”.

He said the university could not legally suspend a person without a “pre-suspension process” which formed part of the processes and procedures for sexual assault and rape cases reported at Rhodes.

The group called on Mabizela to agree to their demands by 5pm yesterday.

Mabizela said a university assembly would be called by tomorrow to deal with these and other issues.