It has been reported that a large number of women in South Africa have experienced gender-based violence (GBV). Bule Mlondo, one of the wardens, said the Housing department is facing the same problem. Mlondo said that every month, there would be a GBV case reported. Mlondo most of these are stemming from relationships. “Some men refuse to accept rejection; for instance, when they are told that the relationship is over. We also have to deal with cases of sexual harassment,” Mlondo said.
On 30 September 2025, the Housing department then organised a march against GBV on main campus. Mlondo said they wanted to highlight a few important things. One was that GBV is real, and that MUT is not exempt from the problem. “We also wanted to inform the students that we are available to assist them,” Mlondo said that there were several divisions at the University that work together to address the problem. “As Housing, we work with Protection Services, Student Counselling,” she said. She said they informed the students about the reporting channels they need to use to contact them so they can intervene. Mlondo said they advised the students to be careful about reporting GBV incidents on social media, even though they are aware that some students find it difficult to report these incidents to authorities. “Please report incidents to us. Also in class, if you know of a student that going through a hard time, report it. Do not think about this as interfering in someone’s issues,” Mlondo said.
Here are the numbers that students can call to report GBV incidents:
031 819 9486 – MUT Protection Services
10111 – SAPS
0800 333 059, toll free whistleblower, or SMS 33490, or email sonke@whitleblowing.co.za – Sonke Gender Justice