The University of Mpumalanga’s Housing Department is being accused of turning a blind eye to cases of gender-based violence (GBV) cases at off-campus residences.

This follows the assault of a female student allegedly by a male student earlier this month the management allegedly failed to act on.

The incident happened in one of the university’s accredited off-campus residences.

The victim says she was put into a chokehold and nearly passed out.

“One of the male students had disrespectfully referred to me as an object and I said why would you call me an object and then after that I swore at him. As I was walking away, he pulled me and then he put me back to his chest and started chocking me behind.”

She adds, “He wouldn’t stop no matter many times I said he’s hurting me. He continued to do so without listening to me or stopping no matter how long I cried. When I started to feel dizzy, getting blurry visions and couldn’t scream anymore, that’s when he stopped.”

University of Mpumalanga Spokesperson Tlangelani Ubisi has acknowledged that the institution failed to report on time. Ubisi says however, the institution has taken serious action to address the issue.

“We do acknowledge that there could have been a delay in terms of processing some of the matters that were brought forward but the university has since taken two important decisions. One is that we have put the perpetrator on pre-cautionary suspension while we are busy with the investigation. Two is that our student councillor who is based in campus, has reached out to the student to offer support in terms of mental health and emotional support.”

VIDEO | No violence against women and children campaign kicks off at Mpumalanga:

Source link