Cape Town– Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) has confirmed the suspension of a 24-year-old male student who has been accused of allegedly raping a female student at an off-campus residence on Browning Street in Observatory on Saturday 18 October.
According to police, the student was arrested shortly after the incident, and a rape case has been registered at the Woodstock Police Station.
FC van Wyk, provincial police spokesperson, said: “The complainant is a 23-year-old residing at the same address. This case was transferred to Cape Town FCS for further investigation.”
Eric Ntabazalila, provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), said the student appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Monday 20 October.
According to Ntabazalila the matter was postponed until Monday 27 October for bail application.
“The accused (student) appeared in court charged with rape. The State will oppose bail, and the matter has been postponed for bail information.”
The campus’ student representative council (SRC) expressed its “disgust and frustration” in a press statement alleging ongoing and growing cases of gender-based violence at the institution.
“Even though the perpetrator had been evicted from this residence, he still had access to it and ended committing this disgusting act. As Mowbray LSRC we stand with the female that was victimised of her rights and we will not allow her to be silenced and stripped away of her rights further, or any other female,” read the statement.
It further said sexual offenders should not be protected.
“Anyone that protects them is also one and we will not stand for it. We demand immediate eviction and suspension of this perpetrator from all CPUT buildings, we refuse to live with rapists and rapist apologists.”
Lauren Kansley, CPUT spokesperson, confirmed that the student will not be accepted back into residence.
“CPUT is working with police and NPA regarding GBV cases. We are grateful to police for their swift action which led to the arrest of the student. The students’ anger is justified. We have no tolerance for GBV.”
She said continuous support and counselling will be offered to the female student.
