By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@Fabacademic.
University of Cape Town (UCT) vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng has withdrawn a tweet in response to a student’s rape allegations that the institution had failed to suspend a lecturer she accused of sexual assault.
The alleged perpetrator is jointly employed by the university and government.
Last Wednesday, Phakeng drew criticism from people on social media when she questioned the motives behind a student, whose Twitter handle is RAPED@UCT, posting the claims.
In a statement, Phakeng said: I have taken time to reflect on my response to a recent social media response to a post by @RAPEDATUCT. I fully understand the anger that followed my comment and I believe it was justified because our country continues to battle with the scourge of sexual and gender-based violence.
“I withdraw the tweet and offer my sincere apology. I will continue to do all I can to ensure our students are safe.”
Phakeng reiterated her stance against GBV.
“Our students should never allow anyone to subject them to any abuse. The main purpose of this apology and withdrawal of my tweet is to make sure our students have the courage to report such conduct with the confidence that we will act.”
Phakeng had tweeted that the student “must say what her real agenda is”, and claimed that she had refused any help from the university.
Her comment seemed to be at odds with a statement UCT had issued earlier in the day.
The university’s statement said that an internal investigation had been launched, and that the student had offered the university’s support.
The incident is also under investigation by the police.
Phakeng’s tweets sparked outrage, with students calling for her to retract her statements.
UCT Council chair Babalwa Ngonyama said the university would not tolerate behaviour that was not in line with its stated values, and would “address breaches of those values internally”.
She added that she had engaged with Phakeng “to ensure that we learn and grow from these challenges”.