Former Rhodes University student Yolanda Dyantyi, who was banned from the institution for life in 2017, wants R10m and an apology, among other demands, after she won her case in the SCA.

A News24 report says in her third year of study in 2017, Dyantyi was found guilty of a range of charges, including kidnapping, assault, defamation and insubordination, by an independent disciplinary inquiry the university had instituted.

The Eastern Cape High Court (Grahamstown) dismissed her review application in March 2020.

The SCA set aside that judgment.

The SCA remitted the matter to the university for reconsideration, with a condition that another proctor be appointed for any continuation of the disciplinary inquiry.

The SCA also ordered the institution to pay Dyantyi's legal costs.

However, new disciplinary inquiry proctor has not yet been appointed. 

Now Dyantyi's lawyers have demanded that the university pay their client R10m, issue her with an apology, and pay R214 000 to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, which she owes. 

According to the News24 report, the letter reads: ‘To date, your client, has not taken steps to bring the matter to its finality in terms of the order of the SCA and accordingly, all statutory time frames for reconsideration of the order by the SCA and/or to appeal the order at the Constitutional Court has lapsed.’

It also stated that Dyantyi had suffered reputational damage, loss of income, emotional stress, trauma and shock.

The university was asked to comply by no later than 30 days from the date of receipt of the letter.

In the letter, the university was warned: ‘Failure to comply with the demands of our client, it is our instruction to approach the court for a competent redress at an attorney and own scale cost, including costs of two counsel to be employed. Our client is amenable to an amicable resolution of this matter.’

Full News24 report