UCT considers allegations of rape incident closed

WHILE Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela wants answers over allegations that a UCT student was raped and offered a degree to keep quiet, the institution says it considers the matter closed.

Manamela confirmed pursuing the matter during a recent interview with news channel Newzroom Afrika. The matter was in relation to an incident alleged to have occurred in 2021.

At the time, the student said she had struggled to find justice through internal processes despite reporting the alleged incident to the university.

However, the university this week said “three independent investigations and a high court ruling found no substance to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) claims by (the) former student”.

“The allegations of sexual and gender-based violence, around a former postgraduate student and Western Cape Government (WCG) employee, were the subject of three independent investigation processes as well as a high court ruling. The incident is alleged to have occurred in March 2021.

“Since being brought to the university’s attention, three separate independent investigations were conducted by SAPS (certificate of nolle prosequi was issued on 10 January 2023 by the Regional Director of Public Prosecutions); WCG Health and Wellness (a comprehensive report dated 3 June 2022); and the Presidency. All three investigations found no substance to the claims. UCT cooperated with the WCG in all investigations into this matter.

“In November 2024, the Western Cape High Court ruled that, among others, the respondent is interdicted and restrained from disseminating or publishing any defamatory statements, material or content about the applicant or its employees… on any social media platform, including but not limited to, X (formerly Twitter), or in any other media. UCT regards this matter as closed.”

UCT student and deputy chairperson of DA Student Organisation (DASO), Hannah Dyers said they were deeply concerned by the nature of the claims and were monitoring the situation closely.

“Our primary focus is on ensuring a fair process for the survivor and absolute accountability from the university. Our major concerns are threefold: firstly, this allegation represents a betrayal of trust and an abuse of power, prioritising the university's reputation over a survivor's justice. Secondly, it points to a potential criminal cover-up. Ultimately, it erodes students' confidence in reporting mechanisms, sending a worrying message to survivors that they will be silenced instead of protected. This incident highlights the urgent need for proactive safety measures," Dyers said.

She said they had recently launched a petition, demanding practical solutions such as fixed lighting, increased patrols, and more CCTV, to create a “truly safe campus where students are protected and survivors are prioritised”.

Police did not respond to requests for comment by deadline.

Cape Times