Johannesburg - Students at Wits University have accused the institution of protecting an alleged rapist at one of their residences.
They claim a female student was raped by another student at the Wits Junction residence in Parktown over three weeks ago and when she reported the matter to the residence management and security, they protected the alleged rapist.
It is believed the female student tried to commit suicide because management ignored her plea and allowed the alleged rapist to remain on campus as he is writing exams.
The student has apparently left the country and dropped out of the institution.
In one of the videos that has since gone viral on the internet, another female student confronts Wits Junction management and security about why they have ignored the rape accusations.
Student Residence Cluster Manager, Thokozani Manyange, was also filmed replying to the students who confronted him about the alleged rape stating: “If you knew the details of the matter, you would not feel unsafe.”
The Director of Campus Housing and Life Rob Sharman was on the scene as well to address the crowd and stated that he did not have all the details and that he did not think that many or all of the students had the details.
It is said that Sharman explained that the alleged rapist is in campus control for his own safety and that there was a need to be sensitive to the matter because the “alleged” rapist is writing exams.
Wits university spokesperson Shirona Patel said management was in a meeting on Thursday morning and a statement will be released later in the day.
Following the ordeal, many people have taken to social media to weigh in on the matter, with #RapeAtJunction trending on Thursday morning.
@YeahButShelzTho tweeted: “The perpetrator is free, hi-5ing his friends while the victim is living imprisoned in fear, and you ask why we need feminism?#RapeAtJunction.”
@shinginhari posted: “It is our duty as men 2 stand up against this rape culture plaguing SA. Stand in solidarity with women who are victims daily #RapeAtJunction.”
@AzraKarim wrote: “In 2016 an entire university management protecting a rapist. #RapeAtJunction.”
@ToO_Leigh tweeted: “Waking up to #RapeAtJunction. I swear rape is the only crime where the victim is often treated like the perpetrator”
@_Tshepo said: “This is personally heartbreaking to me... Does it have to be a sister, a parent or a close friend for us to understand.”
@ZamaMadimane: “Why am I surprised? The story is always the same. Shame the victim. Protect the rapist. Rape culture so ripe.”
The Star