UCT Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng has retracted a comment she tweeted in reaction to a student’s complaint that the institution had failed to suspend a lecturer she accused of sexual assault.

A TimesLIVE report notes that the alleged perpetrator is jointly employed by the university and government.

As reported previously, an investigation was launched by the provincial health department in collaboration with UCT.

In a series of tweets last week, the student lashed out at the university for not suspending the lecturer pending the outcome of the investigation.

In reaction, the vice-chancellor said the student had declined offers of assistance from the university and questioned her agenda.

‘I have taken time to reflect. I fully understand the anger that followed my comment and I believe it was justified because our country continues to battle with the scourge of sexual and gender-based violence. Without context, my comment was insensitive, to say the least,’ Phakeng said this week.

‘I withdraw the tweet and offer my sincere apology. I will continue to do all I can to ensure our students are safe.’

Babalwa Ngonyama, chair of the UCT Council, said she had engaged with Phakeng on reactions to her tweeted comments ‘to ensure we learn and grow from these challenges’.

Full TimesLIVE report