Safety of medical students highlighted at crime forum

Over the past weeks, UCT has hosted three of four forums on issues of crime and crime prevention on campus and beyond. These were held on the upper campus, at the Medical School and at the Hiddingh Campus in Cape Town.

A fourth forum takes place at the Graduate School of Business this week. The fora present a platform for staff and students to raise concerns about crime in the wake of the recent murder of Prof Kevin Rochford (off campus) and an armed robbery on middle campus.

Before the first meeting, vice-chancellor and principal Professor Njabulo S Ndebele had met with two police commanders from nearby stations to establish a mutually supportive relationship, aimed at reducing crime in the immediate precincts.

The spotlight at the Medical School meeting was on the safety of medical students in areas of high crime, where they can be at risk travelling to and from clinics and hospitals, often after dark.

"We're presenting these fora at different campuses because we appreciate that the needs are different," Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Martin Hall said.

Those who are unable to attend the fora can present their crime-related questions via email to crime prevention.