Stellenbosch University staffer lays assault charge against students

Stellenbosch University staffer lays assault charge against students

Deneesha Pillay‚ | 2016-09-21 16:42:39.0

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A Stellenbosch University (SU) employee in her 60s has opened a case of assault against students who allegedly attacked her while protesting on campus‚ police confirmed on Wednesday.

According to the university‚ the woman was allegedly assaulted after she escorted a student who she had assisted with a bursary application to one of the exits blocked by protesters on Tuesday. Constable Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed that a case of common assault had been opened for investigation.

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"The complainant was at her workplace at the Wilcocks Building‚ Ryneveld street‚ Stellenbosch when students came to the building protesting‚" Rwewana said.

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"The complainant was busy on her cellphone when students came to her and grabbed her cellphone and they all started assaulting her.

"No one has been arrested at this stage‚" added Rwexana.

University spokesman Martin Viljoen said that there had been reports of other assaults‚ including attacks on students‚ that would also be investigated.

"SU is currently focusing on ensuring that the academic project can continue with the least disruptions.

"Therefore students who have either prevented other students from participating in the academic offering‚ or have been involved in physical attacks on others‚ have been included in the [court] interdict obtained on Tuesday‚" said Viljoen.

He said that while all forms of violence and "any incident that may cause polarisation between staff and students" was regrettable‚ the University's Crisis Service was providing counselling and assistance to affected people.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers said in a statement on Tuesday that he wished to "reassure students and their parents/guardians‚ staff‚ alumni and other stakeholders of the university that we are closely monitoring the situation‚ in liaison with the authorities".

"We have security personnel and contingency measures in place‚ and will act in the interest of safety‚" he said.