Students jittery after muggings at Rhodes

GRAHAMSTOWN -- The recent spate of muggings and attacks on Rhodes University grounds have left some students here feeling the Campus Protection Unit is providing them with little protection.

Kavitha Singh, a second year pharmacy student was mugged as she walked with three friends between St Mary's dining hall and Olive Schreiner House on campus on Sunday afternoon.

Singh said: "A man in a blue pullover was walking behind us, but we didn't take notice of him because we were talking. Suddenly he pushed one of my friends aside, and forced my hand open, snatching my wallet and cellphone."

Within a few seconds he was gone, she said.

"The man looked familiar ... as if I had had a glimpse of him somewhere in town before.

"We went to the Campus Protection Unit who radioed patrolling officers but to no avail."

This was the second time a student had been mugged on this part of campus, she said, and the Unit suspects it is the same man.

Singh complained that campus security did not notify students about the dangers of carrying cellphones on campus and that students should be careful.

"If things like this are happening, students should be notified.

"Had they (campus security) taken the initiative to inform us beforehand, I would have been more careful. I am disappointed. I never expected this to happen on campus."

Vice chancellor Dr David Woods issued a statement expressing concern over the mugging.

"We are investigating various means of improving security on campus, including the control of access by vehicles," he said.

"Rhodes has a large campus and it is impossible for the guards to cover the entire area at any one time. The University Security Committee monitors crime on campus and given the current crime situation in South Africa, we are fortunate to have a very low incidence of crime."

"Rhodes takes security very seriously and has a Campus Protection Unit with guards patrolling 24 hours a day.

''The guards are available to escort students and staff as they move around campus, but this has so far only been necessary at night." -- ECN