Rhodes students decry suicide
We must pull together to eliminate gender-based violence
GRIEVING Rhodes University students and staffers took part in a march remembering third-year law student Khensani Maseko, who took her own life.
The 23-year-old was allegedly raped by her then-boyfriend in May, and committed suicide last week at her family’s home in Johannesburg.
She was suffering from depression.
The university said Maseko was supposed to return to the university for a meeting with the investigation team last Monday.
They have since called for an inquest into her death.
A march to the Settlers Monument was held yesterday, where the university traditionally holds its graduation ceremonies. There, Maseko would have rounded off her journey through Rhodes University.
The issue of sexual consent was discussed in a series of talks, which was opened to everyone on campus.
Rhodes University came under the spotlight in 2016 when a list with students’ names, alleged to be involved in rape cases, went viral on social media. This led to the institution to set up a task team to look into sexual violence on its campus.
“As the Rhodes University community, we are deeply saddened by Khensani’s passing and would like to extend our sincerest condolences to her family, loved ones, and everyone that knew her. Her death underlines the pervasive scourge of gender-based violence in our society. We have been robbed of an amazing young woman who was destined to make a significant impact on our society and beyond.
“We hope this tragic incident will allow the university an opportunity to reflect and to engage, even deeper, on how we must pull together as a university and society to eliminate the scourge of gender-based violence once and for all. This is the most fitting and lasting tribute we can give Khensani,” said university vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela
Maseko had been a SRC alumnus and a member of the EFF.
Tributes and messages of condolence from friends and loved ones have poured in on social media.
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) sent their condolences to Maseko’s family, and welcomed a decision by Mabizela requesting an inquest into the death.
“The CGE has commended Rhodes University for effecting a review of its Sexual Offences Polices, the restructure of the Harassment Office and establishment of a 24-hour counselling service.
“The most noteworthy structural change is that all reported sexual offences are independently prosecuted and adjudicated by means of an Independent Disciplinary Board comprising of esteemed advocates and attorneys,” they said.
Maseko’s family described her as a sweet person, and family representative Palesa Gcwensa said the family were planning to bury the EFF student leader tomorrow.
Gcwensa said they want to mourn Maseko and give her a fitting send-off.
Women’s rights organisation Ilitha Labantu’s spokesperson Siya Monakali said society often failed young women by failing to hold perpetrators to account. “We demand accountability for the death of the young woman, Khensani. We demand that the full might of the law be taken upon the perpetrator who took her dignity,” Monakali said.