Unisa probes sexual harassment claims against staff

Unisa is investigating claims of sexual harassment at its centre for early childhood education, Pretoria East Rekord reports.

The university has condemned the allegations.

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“The university has taken note of and is gravely concerned and distressed about this incident.

“There is zero tolerance towards all forms of harassment in the workplace and, where complaints of harassment are brought to our attention, these would be fully investigated and pursued vigorously.

“With regard to the specific matter raised above, the university is taking the requisite action after receiving the complaint and has, as a matter of procedure, already placed the two employees implicated in the matter on suspension as per policy,” it said.

“The matter will receive close and urgent attention until it has been finalised.”

The university said it had noted the same matter had been reported to the police, who were conducting their own investigation.

Unisa said it would work with police in investigating the matter, and appealed to its stakeholders to give the institution time to finalise investigations.

“The university undertakes to cooperate fully with the SAPS investigation.”

Unisa management encouraged employees and students experiencing incidents of harassment “to report these matters to the right functionaries and through appropriate channels”.

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