THREE students at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) are being held in police custody after being arrested in connection with the gang rape of a student at the KwaDlangezwa campus residence on Friday.
Mxolisi Ngobese (24), Siyanda Mkhize (24) and Manelisi Ntshangase (29), who each face a count of rape, made their first appearance at the Mtunzini Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The accused were nabbed by members of the Family, Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit at UNIZULU on Monday afternoon.
The victim (22), who is a second-year student, was reportedly invited to a party at the student dorm and taken to one of the rooms at the East Block residence where she was raped by three suspects.
After consultation with several doctors following the incident, it is suspected her drinks had been spiked .
Empangeni SAP Spokesperson Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose said the case had been remanded to 31 March for further investigation.
‘We wanted to make all three arrests at once. The police treat every case equally as a matter of urgency,’ said Mdlalose.
The police statements come after members of the IFP Women’s Brigade and student movement SADESMO gathered outside the Mtunzini SAP on Monday demanding an explanation as to why the suspects had not been apprehended during the weekend.
Sbonakaliso Jobe, Chairperson of SADESMO, an affiliate of the IFP student wing, confirmed that the victim was also a member of the IFP at the tertiary institution.
‘We cannot allow this institution to be brought down by atrocities like gang rape and corruption.
‘One of the accused – Siyanda Mkhize, is a former president of the Student Representative Council and has been appointed by the university management as an administrator.
‘So he is a student and employee of the university. Justice must be served,’ said Jobe.
Students
Director of Communications and Marketing at UNIZULU, Normah Zondo said security was in place at the university residences with biometric access points and visible security personnel.
‘The incident in question was not caused by lack of security but it happened inside closed room doors where security has no control unless the matter is brought to their attention,’ said Zondo.
‘The university condemns such heinous acts taking place on its campuses. Internal processes have already unfolded to deal with the matter and no stone will be left unturned.
‘We shall also provide all the necessary support to the victim and ensure that her studies are not negatively affected by this ordeal,’ Zondo said.
@RonelleRamsamy
