UCT upholds suspension of student pending disciplinary hearing

The University of Cape Town confirms that it has suspended a student pending a disciplinary hearing following an incident that occurred in an academic department on Friday, 1 May 2015.

The terms of the suspension, which takes effect from today until Sunday, 19 July 2015, allow the student to write his exams.

The suspension will be discharged upon either the acquittal of the student or the implementation of any sentence imposed on him by a tribunal in respect of charges arising out of the allegations upon which the suspension order is based. The student is alleged to have intimidated, harassed, threatened and racially abused a member of staff.

UCT regards disciplinary matters as confidential. It is our practice not to reveal the names of those facing disciplinary charges, nor to reveal any detail relating to the case. We presume innocence until proven guilty. Due process will be followed. We have asked the media to respect the right of all parties involved to fair process, by not revealing their names to the public.

It has come to our attention that the student has revealed the case to the media and is claiming that he is being charged because of his involvement in protest actions in the last weeks. This is regrettable and inaccurate. The suspension follows an unrelated, isolated incident and this occurrence is unrelated to any protest action on campus.

UCT respects the right of all students and staff members to align with any organisation represented on campus.

Statement issued by UCT Communication and Marketing Department.