Student suspended in probe over alleged 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, circulated throughout campus late last week, said after reviewing statements from complainants, an independent prosecutor 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 (GAP) media officer Chelsea Haith said yesterday the students welcomed any justice rape and sexual assault survivors could get.
However, she said it was important that they were given support to show they were believed.
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, had not been reported. The claims sparked student protests that intensified when the names of 11 past and present students accused of rape or sexual assault were put on social media.
Although the name-and-shame tactic was praised in some quarters, it was slammed by others who argued the allegations had never been investigated and the alleged perpetrators never charged with any offence.
Statements were taken by the Legal Resources Centre and handed to an advocate, who has experience as an acting high court judge, to prosecute.
The mandate of the advocate includes deciding whether to pursue charges according to the university student disciplinary code or the criminal justice system.
“Outside this independent process, a male student was recently suspended from any presence on the Rhodes University campus following a charge of rape laid,” the statement said.
The man is facing criminal prosecution relating to the charge.
But the statement also warned of the irreparable damage to the lives of those falsely accused.