Rhodes Vice-Chancellor Saleem Badat has responded to the SRC’s open letter calling for the university
to act against the students responsible for assaulting a campus security guard in February by saying that
proper investigation of the situation was not to be rushed.
Rhodes Vice-Chancellor Saleem Badat has responded to the SRC’s open letter calling for the university
to act against the students responsible for assaulting a campus security guard in February by saying that
proper investigation of the situation was not to be rushed.
The SRC had accused the university of being slow in its response and compared it to the swift response to racial abuse against Prof Fackson Banda last year.
The SRC sent the letter initially to the Deputy Vice- Chancellor on 4 March expressing concern and making demands for action.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor briefed SRC president Eric Ofei on the university’s approach to dealing with the assault.
The SRC then turned the letter into an open letter and sent it to the media.Badat said: “The SRC is an autonomous body and is, of course, free to communicate as it sees fit and in the forms that is desires."
However, he continued: “The university will not be pressurised into courses of actions that compromise administrative justice and human rights to comply with demands and ultimatums
from the SRC.”
In its open letter, the SRC brought up the issue of “class prejudice”. They claimed that when Banda was racially abused last year, the university took immediate action, while when a campus security guard was physically assaulted, the university did not respond as quickly.
“I wish to dismiss with utter contempt this speculation of ‘class prejudice,’” said Badat. “It is a mistake to think that irrespective of circumstances, every case can and must be dealt with in exactly the same manner as last year’s case of racial abuse,which was different in many respects.”
The SRC claimed that the university had not released a formal statement and that the student body had not been informed.
“The SRC appears not to appreciate that an investigation was required, facts had to be established, evidence had to be gathered, statements needed to be taken, attempts had to be made to identify additional perpetrators and so forth,” Badat said.
In the meantime the university proctor has pronounced a sentence on the three students. They have been excluded from the university until the end of the academic year, and will not receive recognition from Rhodes for any other credits that they may complete at another university during this time.
For the attempted damage to property, the students could receive 40 hours of compulsory community service if they commit another offence after being re-admitted to the university.
“There is a distressing phenomenon of students disrespecting, abusing and attacking CPU officers, who play an important role in ensuring their safety and security.
The exclusion of the three students should be a clear indication of the consequences of such abuse,” said Badat.
In concluding his letter of response, Badat acknowledged the SRC for their efforts. “I place great value on a thriving and effective SRC.
I also have great admiration for the SRC members, who sacrifice a great deal in ensuring that students are effectively represented on the governance structures of the university,” he said.
