Johannesburg - A man accused of raping a Witwatersrand University student has been moved to a different location at the university, a spokesperson for the institution said on Friday.
This comes after students staged a protest on Wednesday night to have the alleged perpetrator evicted from the premises after the students alleged that it was not conducive for the victim to live with the perpetrator in the same building.
The alleged incident happened three weeks ago.
It was reported on Thursday that the alleged victim had dropped out of Wits and had left the country. She has not yet opened a case against the alleged rapist.
University spokesperson Shirona Patel said the student was still registered with Wits and confirmed that the university had received a complaint about the alleged rape at the Wits Junction residence.
The university said that its Gender Equity Office (GEO), in line with the university’s Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault and Rape Policy, was investigating the matter. Patel said, however, that it was up to the complainant to open a case with the police. Wits could only advise her but could not force her to do so.
“The university has worked with the complainant for the last few weeks and the nature of this engagement is confidential. We urge everyone to respect the confidentiality and integrity of the complainant, who is our first priority,” she said.
Patel said the university urged victims to lay complaints to assist it in achieving its zero tolerance approach to sexual violence and harassment.
“We hope that the confidentiality with which we are managing this complaint serves as evidence that we will be responsive to every individual complainant in need,” said the university.
The university further urged anyone who had been the victim of gender-based harm at Wits to report these incidents immediately to its Gender Equity Office.
Patel said the Sexual Harassment Advisory Committee would ensure that anyone who had stood in the way of justice or minimised rape in any way, would be held to account.
Associate Professor Bonita Meyersfeld and other members of the Sexual Harassment Advisory Committee to the GEO would be addressing the outgoing and incoming House Committees at the Wits Junction Residence complex on Friday.
“Sexual harassment and sexual violence undermines the dignity and autonomy of those victimised and erodes the mutual trust and respect which are essential to personal and academic well-being. Sexual harassment and sexual violence constitute serious disciplinary offences and will not be tolerated at the University of the Witwatersrand,” concluded Patel.
African News Agency