An anonymous student from the University of Cape Town (UCT) recently took to social media, accusing the University’s staff member of sexual assault.
In her explosive tweet on Wednesday 18 May, the victim said she reported the matter to UCT management months ago, but the university has failed to act on it. She further revealed that the rapist was not suspended despite being found guilty in the internal report.
“UCT has instructed me to not report the matter and keep it internal. I received threats from [the] rapist. I’m in witness protection,” read the tweet.
In response to these allegations, UCT Vice-Chancellor (VC) Mamokgethi Phakeng said the student refused help from the University and challenged her to “say what her real agenda is.”
Upon further investigation, Vulankungu can reveal that the Office of the Presidency, SAPS Officers, and other government departments have known about this matter from as far back as March 2022.
In a letter by The Presidency, dated 29 March, the office acknowledges holding a multidisciplinary meeting with six other government departments.
These include South African Police Services; Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities; Department of Higher Education and Training, including Higher Health; Department of Employment and Labour: Department of Social Development and Department of Health.
“The meeting agreed that each of the above-mentioned departments must look at your client’s complaint and come up with plans in line with their mandates on how best they can assist your client.
“The multidisciplinary team will have another meeting on 31 March 2022. Further feedback on the matter will be provided after the 31 March 2022 meeting,” the letter reads in part – which is in our possession.
According to our source working close in the investigation of the case, The Presidency stated on record that the VC and Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, acted irregularly in multiple steps of the investigation.
“The rapist is friends with the Director of Public Prosecution in the Western Cape, Mr RJ de Kock, who has repeatedly omitted, delayed and postponed the arrest without reason.
“There are 5 black UCT students (2 undergrads 3 postgraduate) allegedly raped by UCT staff members on UCT premises. One has voiced herself today via ‘women for change’. Of the 5 [victims] raped, one has a child from the rape. The child is 11 months old.
“There is no space for [students] to report as the University shuts them up and offers only mental health [counselling] while they continue to be in contact with rapists who are supervisors appointed by the University,” our source revealed.
Attempts to contact The Presidency were made*
