Student in hot water over assault claim

Afemale Rhodes University student has been found guilty in terms of internal disciplinary processes of making a false accusation of sexual assault against another student.

According to a statement made by the university this week, a female student, whose name is known to Grocott’s Mail, reported to the police that a male student, whom she named, had sexually assaulted her.

Following investigations, the University said in a statement that the National Prosecuting Authority declined to prosecute the young man.

“This incident illustrates exactly why due process is necessary in handling serious allegations such as this one, and why the laws of our land require fair treatment as an inherent aspect of human rights and justice,” read the statement, issued on behalf of the University by Communications Manager Veliswa Mhlope.

“False accusations against any person for any reason have no place in an intellectual community which is based on the pursuit of knowledge and truth.

“Any form of sexual assault is a serious criminal offence and should be treated as such. Perpetrators of sexual violence must be reported and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

“A false claim of sexual assault does an incalculable injustice to the survivors of sexual violence,” read the statement. Mhlope said the young woman had referred her matter to the South African Police Service.

“After investigation, the National Prosecuting Authority declined to prosecute.

“Rhodes condemns all kinds of sexual violence. We stand in full solidarity and support of all our students and staff who are survivors of sexual violence,” Mhlope said. "We must never rest until the pernicious scourge of sexual violence in general is permanently eradicated from our society.

“We re-iterate the value and importance of due process and respect for individual rights as provided for in the Constitution of our country.”

The female student refused to comment on the matter and said she was not willing to be named.

“I know the story already. I don’t want my name to be there... neither will I say anything with regards to the story.

“Sorry. I would love to be left in peace. I don’t want my name appearing in the story,” said the student.

After the allegation, the male student reportedly indicated that he would be following due process to prove his innocence.

Mhlope said the University currently would not reveal any further details about the incident.

“We discussed this with the Vice-Chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela and we decided that it would be inappropriate to divulge more information. We have not even received information on whether the accused male student has opened a case or not,” said Mhlope.

The students both recently stood for the Rhodes University Student Representative Council (SRC) for 2017.

Rhodes University SRC’s Media Councillor Tuletu Nelani confirmed that the allegation of sexual assault had been made and found to be false, and that the accuser faced University disciplinary proceedings.

A false claim of sexual assault does an incalculable injustice to the survivors of sexual violence