TUT campus in north ‘unsafe’ – students
Students say the Soshanguve campus is unsafe for women, following an attempted rape earlier this week.
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Soshanguve campus is unsafe for women, students have said.
This follows an attempted rape at the south campus earlier this week.
“We have had incidents where people from outside, who are not even students, gain entry to our campuses,” TUT student Pule Promino Letshwiti told Rekord.
“They harm us when there is security hired to protect us.”
Police said they were investigating an assault case involving a first-year computer engineering student who was attacked at the campus on Tuesday evening.
Spokesperson Constable Zanele Mtsweni said the female student was allegedly attacked with a knife by someone who approached her from behind.
“She suffered a neck injury as a result of the attack.”
The victim reported that she was walking to a classroom when a 23-year-old man accosted her with a knife and ordered her to undress, police said.
ALSO READ: Safety tips on how to drive in unrest areas
The victim screamed for help and attracted the attention of a group of students. The suspect, however, managed to flee but was later apprehended by campus security. He is expected to appear in court soon, Mtsweni said.
A case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm has been opened.
“We would like to caution students to avoid walking alone at night. It is important for students to move in groups and conduct their studies during reasonable hours of the day.”
Student representative council deputy president Kevin Phehla said the council had submitted a memorandum on the issue to campus management.
“Such things have been occurring for years now,” he said.
“It worries us that management is doing nothing – they are not taking us seriously as students.”
TUT could not be reached for comment by the time of going to press.
Police encouraged students to phone the number 112 for emergencies.
“It is a toll-free number when in need of any emergency assistance, including the police.”
ALSO READ: Unisa concerned over ‘false’ reports
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
