Dr Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela replaces the Rhodes' previous deputy vice-chancellor Dr Chrissie Boughey who retired at the end of June.
The university receives its water supply from the Settlers Dam which is currently at 11%
The police portfolio committee wants to hear from student leaders following the death of Khensani Maseko who studied at the institution.
The Rhodes student took her own life last week after she was allegedly raped by her boyfriend in May this year.
The EFF leader says if the institution listened to women when they voiced out issues about rape culture on campus in previous years, a woman would not have died last week.
The third-year student is being remembered at a memorial in Makhanda in the Eastern Cape, four days after she took her own life.
The university suspended academic activities for the day after the SRC announced on Sunday evening that it would march in honour of Maseko.
It’s understood Maseko committed suicide after she was raped in May this year.
The university says its concerned about students, saying the perpetrators continue to walk around on campus and nothing is being done.
It is alleged that Maseko committed suicide after she was raped in May this year.
Yolanda Dyantyi was issued a life ban from the institution after being involved in anti-rape protests in 2016.
Rhodes has been slammed for what’s been widely seen as a heavy sanction against the activists while another student accused of raped was suspended for 10 years.
It's understood Yolanda Dyantyi was part a group of female students which decided to take action against four male students suspected of rape.
The two banned student activists participated in anti-rape demonstrations at the Grahamstown Campus in April 2016.
The council met last week and decided against changing the name of Rhodes despite calls by students and staff members wanting transformation.
The man, believed to be a Rhodes University student, went missing in the surf on Saturday.
The murders of three female Rhodes University students have been highlighted as a reflection of the dangers faced by women daily in South Africa.
Rhodes University has joined the call urging men to be part of the discussion around gender-based violence and their role in fighting the scourge.
