Rhodes University reacts to student expulsion reports
The Rhodes University has reacted after a social media storm erupted over the expulsion of two of their students.
The university released a statement saying the pair was expelled not for staging protests but for criminal activities.
The decision to ban the students from the institution was handed down on 17 November. The statement says the bid to appeal this decision in both the High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal failed.
The university says the scholars were found guilty - by an independent panel - of kidnapping, assault, defamation and bringing the university into disrepute during last year's protest action against the rape culture at the institution.
Students have taken to social media - disputing the university's stance - causing the hashtag, #Rhodeswar to trend.
See the university's statements below.
Rhodes student exclusion not related to protesting...@RhodesWar @POWER987News @Radio702 @SABCNewsOnline @News24 @ewnupdates @SAfmnews pic.twitter.com/HuSAK1IGix
— Rhodes University (@Rhodes_Uni) December 12, 2017
While online users took to social media - with the #Rhodeswar hashtag.
Is rape not criminality? How do these two female students receive a life ban, while a male student only received a ten year ban for rape? How is what these two students did worse? #RhodesWar https://t.co/ELz0x7VgzB
— Amy Pieterse (@AmyPieterse21) December 12, 2017
#RhodesWar
— Asanda Turns SEVEN! 30/11/10 (@uThenjiwe_Igama) December 12, 2017
2009 a student was raped by a Yt Boy at the Rat&Parrot@Lilitha_Mak & I after weeks of fighting because the Yt Boy was still there, his victim was forced to leave.
Sizwe Mabizela told us about 'our culture' & the fact that it didn't happen on campus.
Rapist Graduated
I am sitting in my bed weeping over #RhodesWar What must women do? What must we do to be safe? Lourd said our silence cannot protect us. These women at UCKAR were not silent, now look.
— Nolwazi Tusini (@NolwAzi_Tusini) December 11, 2017
So basically Rhodes is normalizing Rape Culture!!! How do you punish those that stand up against rapists?? #RhodesWar
— leratokganyago (@leratokganyago) December 12, 2017
Something is very wrong with our judiciary. What kind of judge hears evidence and decides that a student with 2 exams left to graduate must be excluded? #RhodesWar
— Sicelo (@SiceloDumakude) December 11, 2017