Female CPUT student rushed to hospital for emergency surgery after res stabbing

A Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) student was rushed to hospital on Saturday morning for emergency surgery after she was stabbed at a privately owned residence in the Western Cape.

The university confirmed the incident to The Citizen, and said the woman was allegedly assaulted by a student known to her from a neighbouring university.

“The female CPUT student sustained serious injuries and has been transferred to Tygerberg Hospital for emergency surgery. She is being supported by CPUT Management and at this stage our focus is on her recovery and wellbeing and notifying her family,” said spokesperson Lauren Kansley.

The University of the Western Cape said it was alleged the perpetrator was the victim’s spouse and was studying at their university.

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“At a time when the University of the Western Cape pronounced its zero tolerance for gender-based violence and communicated its condemnation of any acts of gender-based violence and femicide, it notes a disturbing report of the stabbing of a female CPUT student on 11 November.

“The University will liaise with the SA Police Service and will take immediate action against its students as soon as it receives the relevant details of the incident from both SAPS and its own investigating team. We confirm our stance that perpetrators of such gender-based violence have no place at our campuses.”

The alleged perpetrator was arrested and is expected to appear in court next week.

Video allegedly showing the stabbing shared online

A video allegedly showing the stabbing was shared on social media on Saturday. In it, what appears to be a man can be seen holding what appears to be a woman on the ground, lifting what looks like a knife and stabbing it into her. Her clothes are bloody as he assaults her. He stops to stand and look down at her on the floor.

He moves towards her again before he is stopped by two people who enter the camera’s frame. A stand-off ensues before the footage cuts.

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Kansley said therapy has been offered to CPUT students who may have been traumatised by this incident, including face-to-face counselling next week.

DA to visit CPUT

The incident has sparked outrage, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) announcing it would visit the university on Tuesday to meet with university management.

“Heightened security measures on campuses and residences must be prioritised. Our thoughts are with the victim and the wider student community.

“The DA calls on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident and take decisive action against the perpetrator,” it said.