Rhodes protesters call for academic shutdown

Rhodes University students gathered on campus in preparation for a “complete academic shutdown” in the wake of the publication of the #RUReferenceList.

Cape Town - Rhodes University students gathered from 7am on campus in preparation for a “complete academic shutdown”, disrupting lectures at several departments.

The Rhodes Student Representative Council (SRC) statement released on Tuesday morning fully supported the “complete” shutdown, despite only threatening a partial shutdown on Monday.

The SRC encouraged the student body to be “active participants in the protest”.

Their statement read: “The protest has resulted in emotional distress for some students, particularly those who are survivors of sexual assault.”

Students were angered on Mondaywhen the vice-chancellor Sizwe Mabizela failed to adequately satisfy the demands set out by students.

Rhodes University spokesperson Catherine Deiner confirmed on Monday morning that “there have been some disruptions of lectures but the academic programme and university operations were continuing”.

“University management acknowledges the student protest action and staff and students are advised to remain calm and not to be confrontational if the students disrupt their work or lectures. The university maintains that while students have the right to protest, these actions may not infringe on the rights of others,” Deiner said.

On Sunday evening, a group of students delivered a list of demands to the university’s management, accompanied by a list of 11 names they allege are guilty of rape and sexual assault. The list, called #RUReferenceList, quickly went viral and trended for most of yesterday morning.

SRC member Naledi Mashishi delivered the list of demands to the university’s management.

It called for two university prosecutors to step down, citing the “manner in which they have dealt with victims in the past has been extremely callous”.

The students also called for a review of the university’s sexual assault policy and called for sensitivity training for all staff.

The group called for rape charges to be included in the alleged perpetrators’ academic records. A task team should also be appointed to deal specifically with cases of sexual assault and rape, the students said.

Last Wednesday, a Sexual Assault Response Team was established at UCT after another reported rape of a student.

In a statement, acting vice-chancellor Sandra Klopper confirmed that the female student had reported being raped at her residence by a visitor.

“Rape is unacceptable and criminal no matter where it happens. But it is particularly shocking that it has occurred in what should be a place of safety,” Klopper said.

Last week, students from the GenderAction Project at RU placed posters around the campus to highlight what it called “the rape culture”.

Named #Chapter212, the campaign refers to the South African constitution chapter regarding human safety and dignity.

UCT students followed suit, placing posters at Jameson Hall and various other campus buildings.

Rhodes’ SRC released a statement on Monday, expressing support for victims of rape and sexual assault. While 11 names were on the list of alleged sexual offenders, police in Grahamstown said by yesterday only one case of sexual assault was recorded.

On Monday, student protesters disrupted classes in a bid to force a meeting with the university’s management.

Deiner said the university was responding to the list of demands.

The university issued a statement on Monday, saying a group of students had, on Sunday night, tried to find some of the people named on the list.

“A few students were held by the group... The vice-chancellor engaged with students on Sunday night and during the early hours of yesterday morning instructing the protesting group to release the remaining student who was being held against the student’s will and indicated that they were breaking the law.

“At 8am yesterday, the police assisted in resolving the situation,” the statement read.

Police spokeswoman Captain Mali Govender said the student who had been held hostage had not laid a charge against the other students (hostage takers).

“No case was opened by the student. The situation is calm at the university. We are monitoring the situation,” Govender said.

robin.henney@inl.co.za

Cape Argus