By Celani Sikhakhane
A first-year Durban University of Technology (DUT) student claims she was raped by a senior employee of the institution on Wednesday night after he sent her to buy him cigarettes.
The man was arrested that night at DUT’s Sydenham student residence.
On Thursday, the 44-year-old suspect appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court after police arrested him on Wednesday night for the alleged rape of the 19-year-old student.
Sources said the suspect texted the female student to come to his room. He then sent her to a shop to buy him cigarettes.
“When she returned to bring him the cigarettes, the [suspect’s] room was dark as the lights were switched off,” said a student who did not want to be named.
“She entered the room to place the cigarettes, and this is when she was raped. She reported the matter to the police and student structures.”
The South African Student Congress is outraged by the allegation and wants the institution to take action against the suspect.
Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command branch chairperson Siyanda Mpontshana said they trusted the suspect since he worked closely as an adviser to first-year students.
Mpontshana said the rape survivor told student representatives about the assault, and they helped her seek medical attention and report the attack to the police.
“We also learned that after the rape incident, the suspect attempted to silence the student by making death threats,” Mpontshana said.
Alan Khan of the DUT says that the university is aware of the allegations against the employee.
“As the matter is currently under police investigation, we are unable to provide any further comment at this time. The university has reached out to the student who reported the incident, and we have offered her the requisite support.
“DUT stands firmly against violence and crime of any nature and is fully cooperating with the police,” said Khan.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said the incident docket had been transferred to the Durban Central family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit for further investigation.
Pictured above: Police swooped the Durban University of Technology Sydenham Student Residence on Wednesday night where they arrested a staff member who is accused of raping a 19 year student after he sent her to buy cigarettes.
Source: DUT
