Uncategorized
MINISTER of Higher Education, Dr Blade Nzimande, has condemned the gruesome killing of Ntokozo Xaba, a Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) third-year student.
The 21-year-old Xaba was a third-year TUT student doing a National Diploma in Integrated Communication programme.
On Monday, Blue Bulls rugby player Ngcebo Thusi, 23, appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court in connection with the murder of Xaba.
The state asked for a postponement, saying Thusi still needs to be profiled and his addresses need to be confirmed.
The matter is postponed to the 13th of February for bail application.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Thusi is facing charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice.
Xaba was found stabbed to death at the university’s Ekhaya Junction residence in Pretoria on Thursday.
A police report shows that a group of friends were drinking on Wednesday night.
Xaba’s friends told the police that they left both Xaba and Thusi together.
Nzimande is, however, pleased by the swift response of the law enforcement agencies for arresting Thusi in connection with Xaba’s untimely death.
Nzimande passed his condolences to the Xaba family, friends and the entire Tshwane University of Technology.
The Department of Higher Education together with the Tshwane University of Technology’s wellness team will provide the necessary phyco-social support to the family.
Ngcebo Thusi.
News24/ Alex Mitchley
Nzimande said that Gender-based violence (GBV), or violence against women and girls (VAWG), was a global pandemic that affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime.
The minister said these numbers are staggering with global figures indicating that as many as 38% of murders of women are committed by an intimate partner, 35% of women worldwide experiencing physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence.
“This issue is not only devastating for survivors of violence and their families, but also entails significant social and economic costs and has dire implications to the post school education and training sector,” said Nzimande.
“As part of dealing with gender-based violence in our institutions, I will be launching the “Transforming MENtalities Initiative,” which will be a multistakeholder partnership within the PSET, with a particular focus on mobilising men in our sector to be part of championing a world free of gender biases, stereotypes, violence and discrimination,” said Nzimande.
“All our institutions working with HIGHER HEALTH must continue to work collectively in implementing programmes towards addressing the challenges of sexual and gender based violence within our PSET system. This includes ensuring the provision of safe workplaces, learning spaces and residences for all staff and students in our institutions,” said Nzimande.
Nzimande said that HIGHER HEALTH must also ensure that all institutions work collaboratively with the established multi sectoral PSET gender- based violence technical Task team chaired by Professor LenkaBula, to ensure the effective implementation of the DHET Gender Policy Framework.
Nzimande said he will soon be releasing the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) report on sexual harassment and gender-based violence in the university sector.
This MTT was chaired by Professor Sibongile Muthwa and its report has since been submitted to Nzimande for consideration.
On Monday, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) said it will reach out to the leadership of Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) following the brutal killing of Xaba.
”The CGE is saddened by this senseless killing, which adds to the list of gender-based violence (GBV) murders that have taken place within institutions of higher learning. In the past three years, the CGE has conducted investigations to assess gender transformation and gender-based violence at public universities and Technical and Vocational
Education and Training (TVET) colleges, to ascertain the safety of women on campuses and residences,” spokesperson Javu Baloyi said.
CGE said more than 15 Vice Chancellors appeared before the commission to help the commission understand gender related problems at their institutions.
Baloyi said one of the numerous recommendations made was for the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to institute policies and procedures to deal with the scourge of gender-based violence at institutions of higher learning.
INSIDE EDUCATION