Cape Times E-dition

Nine UCT students removed from residence after rape, assault claims

STAFF REPORTER

NINE UCT students have been removed from the institution’s residences following allegations of rape, sexual assault and homophobia levelled against them.

Protests erupted at Roscommon House, an off-campus residence, on Wednesday night when students demanded action against eleven peers who they said they did not feel safe around.

“The GBV culture in Roscommon has been prolonged thus far due to the alienation of the residence from other UCT residences.

“It has been clear that the university leadership has continuously failed to protect and ensure the safety of students and survivors in the house,” the SRC said in a statement.

The students are also calling on UCT management to review existing sexual assault and harassment policies.

“(We) urge the university to practise the inclusivity of Roscommon House & other semi-private UCT residences in providing decent student living conditions.”

UCT spokesperson Elijah Moholola, said since Wednesday morning, UCT facilitated the removal of nine students from the residence.

“The other two students are unaccounted for at this stage.

“The executive has also provided responses directly to the SRC and will have ongoing engagements with the student representatives,” he said.

Moholola said the student had been offered support available at university and referrals to relevant external organisations.

“The student is at liberty to choose not to use these services. UCT does not and has not paid any legal fees for anyone involved in this or any other legal case,” he said.

In relation to the video circulating on social media showing a group of armed private security guards called in to remove the alleged perpetrators at Roscommon House, Moholola said the university was urgently attending to the issues.

“The university has engaged the residence’s management on this, and security was subsequently withdrawn from the building.” he said.

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2022-05-20T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-20T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://capetimes.pressreader.com/article/281479280023798

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