The University of South Africa (Unisa) confirms that it is aware of the complaint of sexual harassment brought against the President of the Unisa National Student Representative Council (NSRC); and acknowledges the interest from internal and external stakeholders in having the complaint attended to speedily.
We also assure stakeholders that this matter received swift attention by relevant officials in the university immediately after it was reported. The university has also ensured that its interventions comply with relevant legislation and policy, are sensitive to the national and international efforts against gender-based violence and aligned to the position of Higher Health on sexual harassment and gender discrimination.
The complainant was offered counselling by the university; and continues to receive emotional support from qualified professionals.
In the intervening period, both the complainant and alleged perpetrator agreed to have an informal mediation process to try and resolve the challenge; as prescribed by policy. The complainant recently informed the university that she is withdrawing her participation from the mediation process and requested that the formal disciplinary be reinstituted.
The university has acceded to this request and is proceeding with the formal disciplinary process and the disciplinary hearing has been set down for Monday, 15 November 2021. The university will ensure that this case is finalised as speedily as possible.
In the meantime, the university has resolved to place the President of NSRC on precautionary suspension until the finalisation of the matter.
Whilst the university does not, as a rule, discuss the merits of such cases in the public domain, it however always ensures that appropriate action is taken against anyone found guilty of a serious misconduct such as sexual harassment.
Publish date: 2021-11-05 00:00:00.0