Rhodes releases findings in rape probe
Private prosecutor proceeds with matter of sexual assault
THE findings of an investigation into claims earlier this year that at least 22 rapes at Rhodes University had not been reported have been released.
A statement from management, which was circulated throughout campus late last week, said after reviewing statements from complainants, an independent prosecutor specifically appointed to investigate the allegations, was proceeding with one matter of alleged sexual assault.
“The prosecutor is still waiting for the final decision of the complainants in respect of two other matters,” the statement said.
Campus-based Gender Action Project media officer Chelsea Haith yesterday said they welcomed any justice rape and sexual assault survivors could get.
It was important that they were given support to show they were believed, she added.
“The institution needs to do that by meeting students’ demands that the alleged rapists must be suspended pending investigation,” she said.
The investigation was launched earlier this year after allegations that a rape culture existed at the university and that dozens of cases, including alleged sexual assault, were not reported.
The allegations sparked student protests that intensified when the names of 11 past and present students accused of rape or sexual assault were published online.
Some of the alleged rapists were even detained for hours by protesters as they moved across campus confronting people on the list about the allegations.
Although the name-and-shame tactics were praised in some quarters, they were slammed by others who argued the allegations had never been investigated by police or the university and the alleged perpetrators never charged with any offence.
During the investigation, statements were taken by the Legal Resources Centre and handed to a local advocate in private practice, who also has experience as an acting high court judge, to prosecute.
The mandate of the prosecutor included deciding whether or not to pursue charges according to the university student disciplinary code or the criminal justice system “as appropriate to the cases and/or the wishes of the complainant”.
The statement said the unnamed prosecutor had the discretion and authority to undertake investigations, pursue prosecutions and apply for suspensions in terms of the student disciplinary code. The work of the prosecutor is ongoing. Last week’s statement said one complainant had referred her matter to police for investigation and that the National Prosecuting Authority had declined to prosecute.
“Outside this independent process, a male student was recently suspended from any presence on the Rhodes University campus following a charge of rape laid against him.”
The man is facing criminal prosecution relating to the charge.
Naming alleged rapists and sexual offenders without the allegations being tested in any form caused an outcry on campus 10 days ago when an incoming Student Representative Council (SRC) councillor levelled accusations at another SRC member without even confirming the incident with the alleged victim.
Abongile Milani James later admitted on Facebook that the allegations against Liberian student Stephen Dorbor were false.
According to the campus statement, an unnamed female student had been found guilty of making a false accusation of sexual assault against another, and disciplinary steps had been taken against her.
It added that the complainant’s right to privacy in sexual assault cases would be maintained and that they would not be named irrespective of the outcome.
“A false claim of sexual assault does incalculable injustice to the survivors of sexual violence and can cause irreparable damage to the future and life of the falsely accused,” it warned —