Students want lecturer to be fired
Females accuse man of sexually harassing them
Several University of Limpopo students who were allegedly sexually harassed by a lecturer have called on the institution to fire him.
At least eight female students have accused the geography lecturer of sexual harassment and demanding sex for pass marks.
One of the alleged victims, a 25-year-old student, told Sowetan her problems started in January when the lecturer allegedly made relationship advances on her.
“He has been pursuing me and telling me to stop with seeing younger boys because they are not going to do anything for me,” said the student. “I treated him as a father figure.”
In an audio clip of the lecturer that is being circulated among students, he can be heard proposing to a female student.
“You know I always wanted you and I didn’t know how to approach you. I understand what you are saying is up to me to prove my point. I believe there is no woman who would say ‘yes, come, I will be waiting for you’.
“I don’t mind proving to you how much I love you,” the lecturer said.
The female student can also be heard refusing his advances.
“There is nothing to prove. I don’t want you,” she said.
Another female student said she also rejected the lecturer’s advances several times.
“I have been battling to pass his subject since 2015 because I refused to sleep with him”
Another 27- year old student said some of the lecturer’s victims had left the university without completing their studies because he allegedly failed them for refusing his sexual advances.
“We want him gone and he must not mark our exam papers,” she said.
The students reported the matter last month but the university apparently failed to act on their claims.
University spokesperson Mosela Selepe said the lecturer has been suspended with immediate effect.
“The university views these allegations as serious for they compromise the image of the institution and hinders the smooth process of quality teaching and learning.
“In our commitment to promote academic excellence, the lecturer has been placed on suspension pending the outcomes of investigations and all procedures and guidelines of university harassment policy will be applied,” Selepe said.