Police use tear gas to disperse anti-rape protesters at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape Province, 20 April 2016
Nadim Nyker
South African police have arrested students during protests on 20 April against rape impunity at Rhodes university in Grahamstown,
Eastern Cape. Dozens of protesters, some of whom demonstrated topless,
have been demonstrating this week calling for more action against "rape
culture" in the country.
Security forces allegedly used stun grenades and rubber
bullets against demonstrators who erected barricades, according to
witnesses. Five people have been arrested according to News 24.
"We have been protesting for three days and the protests have been very hearty and peaceful," Nadim Nyker, a student at Rhodes, told IBTimes UK.
"People had hands in the air and were silently protesting but a bakkie
[pick-up truck] came out of nowhere and police shot at us with rubber
bullets. We don't know if the university authorised the police to come
on board. We are telling the police to stop."
Nyker explained the protests were sparked after a list – nicknamed "RUReferenceList" – featuring names of university members who had allegedly committed rape was published on the
student representative's webpage.
"This sparked major
protests because people wanted justice. But a lot of students took
justice into their own hands and went to the residence of these guys
accused of raping girls," said Nyker.
"It is very complex.
We are protesting against rape impunity, rape culture and
institutionalised rape. Lots of lecturers have made comments on rape
that are way out of line. One, for example, said people are getting
raped because they don't pray enough. This is ridiculous.
"Classes have been
suspended. We don't know when the university will open again. There is
sense of urgency to address rape culture."
The university' vice-chancellor
called on students who have been allegedly raped by people whose names appear on the RUReferenceList
to report the matter to the university, according to a statement from the media relations office. The university also committed to creating a task team to strengthen its
responsiveness to cases of sexual violence.
"
Extensive discussions were held with the deans yesterday regarding
the academic programme. The preponderant view was that time in
lectures should be dedicated to engagement on issues of sexual
violence and rape so as to raise awareness and educate staff and
students on these issues," the statement continued.
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