Wits dismisses third sex-pest academic
JOHANNESBURG - The University of the Witwatersrand announced on 5 September that a third academic found guilty of sexual harassment was dismissed.
This followed the dismissal of two academics at the end of July.
The university’s Shirona Patel said a fourth case was still underway.
Vice-chancellor, Professor Adam Habib said, “The university adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual harassment. We hope the swift action taken by the university in these three cases set a clear example that sexual harassment will not be tolerated in any form on our campuses.”
Habib said he was confident the dismissals would send a “strong signal” that all matters related to sexual harassment would be acted on decisively, going forward.
“The university will continue to pursue complaints relating to sexual harassment vigorously and robustly,” he said.
In light of an independent inquiry into sexual harassment, the university will form a task team to chart a way to rid it of this behaviour.
“Sexual harassment is a national problem that affects all sectors of society. The university is determined to maintain trust and confidence in the institution’s ability to provide a safe environment for all who visit, live and work at Wits,” said Patel.
