UCT lecturer’s posts probed
UCT has initiated suspension proceedings against a staff member who made derogatory comments about women on social media and said he had had thoughts of raping his twoyear-old daughter as a result of depression.
Yesterday, a pre-suspension hearing took place where Arthur Mabentsela, a lecturer at UCT’s department of chemical engineering, was able to state why he should not be suspended. UCT vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng will consider his representation and make a decision on his case.
At the weekend Mabentsela attacked the #MenAreTrash movement on social media.
Remarks he made included: “It was not me who did not teach you how to attract and retain a quality man. For some of you, trash attraction runs in the family. Ask your mother to teach you how to attract a real man. Close your legs and open your ears.”
He also referred to females as “hoes”.
When someone commented on the post and said men who sexually abused women and children were “trash”, Mabentsela replied: “Some of these men are suffering from depression… When I was depressed I had thoughts of raping my own 2-year-old. I wanted to kill her. I saw nothing in her. There was no love.”
UCT spokesperson Elijah Moholola said the institution was “deeply disturbed” by Mabentsela’s comments and had immediately taken steps to begin suspension proceedings against him.
“The lecturer is not teaching any students at present. UCT distances itself from the post and subsequent comments made by the staff member,” Moholola said.
“The university is dealing with the matter urgently by following the appropriate employee relations legislation and the UCT human resources policies. UCT confirms that, despite claims to the contrary, the staff member has been informed of the formal process to suspend him.”
The university had been made aware of the lecturer’s comments on his Facebook page on Tuesday morning.
The Democratic Alliance Students’ Organisation at UCT has called for the immediate termination of Mabentsela’s employment at UCT.
Chairperson Neo Mkwane said Daso was appalled by Mabentsela’s comments.
“Daso recently learnt of Mabentsela’s dehumanising, sexist and racist Facebook posts wherein he makes loathsome remarks, particularly aimed at women. We are completely shocked at Mr Mabentsela’s failure to adhere to the institution’s social media policies,” Mkwane said.
“He has displayed a sickening lack of respect and regard for women, to an extent that he religiously makes disparaging remarks about them.”
She said she would write to the head of the chemical engineering department, the dean of the faculty of engineering and the built environment, and seek advice on opening a case against Mabentsela at the SA Human Rights Commission on various grounds.
“Ultimately, Mabentsela’s despicable behaviour has no place at UCT and indeed in the broader South African society,” Mkwane said.
“For a long time at UCT, women have been objectified to feed the sexist egos of weak men.”
In a statement, the Khayelitsha Engineering Society said it was deeply saddened by Mabentsela’s comments. “Mr Arthur Mabentsela is a former president of the society. He resigned at the beginning of July 2018, and all the members are aware of this (situation).
“Please note that Mr Mabentsela’s comments and his views strictly do not represent, or are remotely in linewith, those of the Khayelitsha Engineering Society. We as a society distance ourselves from these degarotory views.”