Rhodes pulls out of UFH intervarsity bash

RHODES University has pulled out of the Eastern Cape intervarsity two-day sporting extravaganza which starts at the University of Fort Hare Alice campus today.

Rhodes said it was not taking part because UFH could not address its safety concerns in time.

While Walter Sisulu University (WSU) confirmed it would attend the annual event, it said students might not attend the afterparty event – something some students look forward to more than the onfield activities themselves.

The fourth university involved, Nelson Mandela University (NMU), said its safety concerns were addressed this week, paving the way for the institution to attend the tournament.

With Rhodes out, NMU, WSU and UFH will battle it out for bragging rights for soccer, rugby, netball and other sporting codes.

Then there will be the afterparty, which in recent years has descended into lawlessness as students go on drinking sprees, with some falling victim to rape and others killed.

As the hosts, UFH had to provide participating institutions with security plans, which included a risk assessment of the event by police. Rhodes said UFH had failed to provide the plans in time.

In a letter issued by Rhodes director of students affairs, Malinge Gqeba, dated August 15, he said they were still battling to get a comprehensive plan from Fort Hare’s planning committee.

“For any event of this magnitude to take place, there are certain legal requirements that have to be met,” he said.

Gqeba said included:

The risk categorisation of the event by SAPS; Police clearance; and An event safety plan. “Our university, like other universities, had legal responsibilities to ensure the safety and security of our students at all times,” he said. requirements

Rhodes SRC president Rolihlahla Mabaso said: “Without getting the safety plan on time we were left with no choice.”

WSU sport administrator Bhongo Nontshinga said it was still doubtful their students would be part of the afterparty.

“[This] will be determined by a meeting with the organisers of the event [yesterday] afternoon.

“But at the moment I know that immediately after the games the students will get into the buses and leave,” he said.

This, he said, was because they had not received a security plan from UFH.

NMU spokeswoman Zandile Mbabela said: “As of Wednesday this week, we have received the necessary comprehensive security plan that included the police clearance, risk categorisation, security and evacuation plan.

“We are satisfied that measures taken [will] ensure that the event goes off successfully.”

Taking it to the UFH’s Facebook account, SRC president Mosuli Cwele said they were saddened by Rhodes’s withdrawal.

“We are equally disappointed that the university [UFH] did not finalise things on time.”

UFH spokesman Khotso Moabi admitted there were delays in getting all security issues cleared, but everything was now in place.

Provincial police spokesman Captain Khaya Tonjeni had not responded to questions e-mailed to him at the time of writing. — sinom@dispatch.co.za