Due to charges of sexual assault made against him a few months ago, Stellenbosch University (SU) has decided to take action against the student. Additionally, representatives from student groups have shown up to offer their opinions on the choice.
Recently, a student who committed sexual misbehavior was expelled from Stellenbosch University. He was expelled from the institution in May after being accused of abusing a fellow student in the Majuba Residence.
On 18 May, the incident was reported to the police and to the university’s Equality Unit, which forwarded it to Student Discipline for review. The South Africa Students Congress (Sasco) including its leadership, has applauded the decision.
While weighing in on the development, Sasco convener in the Western Cape, Sifiso Zungu stated that the decision is a step in the right direction and sends a strong message to would-be sexual-misconduct perpetrators in other higher learning institutions throughout the nation.
We have welcomed what the university has issued on the photo forecast. I think this is a loud message not only to Stellenbosch University but across universities in South Africa because we know that these cases they come to these different universities in the country.
Additionally, Sasco believes that the university has subjected the accused student to a fair process of investigating the matter independently and that when they come with the results, they welcome them
The student will also have the chance to challenge the decision before the university’s Central Independent Disciplinary Committee CIDC. This comes after the debate surrounding racism on campus, stemming from an unrelated incident, tarnished the university’s reputation.
He adds that, although it may be the case that universities are not doing enough to address matters of sexual violence in tertiary institutions in terms of policy implementation, the fact that an institution that is not entirely assimilated has taken this decision conveys the extent to which they take the incident seriously.
SAUS is of the view that this will serve as a catalyst that enables other universities to address similar incidents with as much urgency. In addition to this, the student movement also believes that there should be more inclusivity and transparency when task teams who handle these matters are appointed by universities.
