Dear Dr Badat
The Rhodes University Student Representative Council, has been informed that during orientation week three white students (who have been identified) physically assaulted a black Rhodes University Campus Protection Unit officer. The unwarranted attack occurred in Prince Alfred Street after he intervened to prevent them from destroying a Rhodes campus street light - which is essential for campus safety & security. He was seriously injured as a result of this brutal assault and to date no formal University statement of condemnation has been issued, nor have students been informed what action, if any, has been taken against the students involved in the attack.
This is in sharp contrast to the swift, united action taken by the University last year, when it undertook a “Rhodes rejects racism� campaign after a black professor was verbally assaulted and called an offensive racial slur by a white student. We note with concern that the University took immediate highly public action when a professor was involved but has been conspicuous in its silence when a CPU guard was the victim. We cannot but speculate that the root of these vastly differing responses can be found in a ‘hierarchy of value’ placed on staff, which creates an impression of class prejudice.
We therefore demand that the University charge the identified students under the University Disciplinary Procedure, for disciplinary judgment, within one week of receiving this letter. In addition, we demand that the University suspend the identified students within 48 hours, pending the University Proctor’s final judgment, of receiving this letter. Furthermore, we demand that, within 24 hours of receiving this letter, the University release a public statement regarding this incident which details the events that occurred, what actions are being taken to deal with it and within what timelines.
We further request that if these students are found guilty they should be rusticated as they bring our institution into disrepute.
We look forward to swift action to address this violation of human right on our campus.
Yours sincerely
Mr Eric Ofei
On behalf of the Rhodes SRC 2010