A third-year student at Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley tried to commit suicide after he was allegedly raped by another student at the campus he was staying at.
A THIRD-year student at Sol Plaatje University (SPU) in Kimberley tried to commit suicide after he was allegedly raped by another student at the campus he was staying at.
In a cry for help, the student stated that he never received any assistance during his ordeal and implored the university to take the necessary steps to prevent other students from having to endure the same struggles as he did.
In a message, he indicated that he was going through a difficult time after losing his boyfriend to cancer.
“There was no one really to talk to because at the time my family did not know that I was gay.”
He said that he was unable to attend a disciplinary hearing after he was charged with assaulting two of his best friends.
“I never assaulted them and I have witnesses to prove it. The reason was that they poisoned me and they denied it when I confronted them. I was sick for three weeks and I asked that I be provided with a non-spicy diet.
“One canteen staff member intentionally threw a very spicy masala sauce all over my food. I asked her to remove it and told her that it was according to my doctor’s instructions. We exchanged some words and I left. I have never committed the allegations that were laid against me.”
The student added that he tried to commit suicide on August 12 after he was raped by a fellow student.
“I went for counselling but all they did was fill in a survey for behavioural and personality disorder.”
He said he requested to be moved and to be given a food allowance following the incident.
“It is very detrimental to my mental health to see these individuals. I hope you find it in your hearts to keep this from happening to another student. I never got the help I needed and there are countless others going through their own ordeals.”
Sol Plaatje University spokesperson Kashini Maistry said that the alleged rape incident was never reported to the SPU campus security or the SAPS.
“Staff at the SPU Health and Wellness Centre became aware of the alleged rape via a Facebook post by the student. He was then called in and counselled and advised to report the alleged rape but refused to do so,” said Maistry.
She added that the student was attended to at the Health and Wellness Centre for superficial cuts on his wrists – after attending a disciplinary hearing.
“The injury did not take place during the same period as the alleged rape. The student has been offered counselling at the university and that would normally entail a survey component as part of the assessment but does not constitute the only intervention.
“Numerous appointments had been set up for him with on-site counsellors and external service providers. Unfortunately, the student did not honour most of those appointments or arrived very late for one appointment or only stayed for a few minutes for another appointment.”
Maistry stated that Sol Plaatje University had an obligation to balance the rights and interests of students, staff and other stakeholders at various campuses.
“The university is not in a position to turn a blind eye when alleged incidents of student misconduct are reported. The disciplinary hearing the student was involved in was not related to his allegations in any way.”
She added that while the student had requested non-spicy food on one occasion, he chose to eat from the regular menu.
She noted that student counselling services were offered to students to minimise the impact of their psychological problems on their academic studies.
“We offer both virtual and face-to-face counselling sessions. The counselling services are also operated from a holistic wellness model that supports students in terms of their physical, academic, social, emotional and spiritual functioning.”
Maistry said individual counselling was offered to students for a variety of personal and academic-related problems including difficulty adjusting to student life, depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, relationship concerns, issues related to sexuality, self-harming and low self-esteem.
“Welfare services are offered, where in cases of real need we provide students with food vouchers. The student counsellor assists students with academic support and students with disabilities.”
She added that wellness development services were offered by a student counsellor, relating to personal, academic and leadership development including substance abuse, cultural diversity, living a healthy lifestyle, mental health issues and gender-based violence.
“The psychosocial wellness programme is centred on social and mental well-being and aids in addressing the psychosocial challenges faced when bridging the gap between high school and university. The programme is also uniquely packaged to allow for successful transitioning through the different levels of university.”
