Harassment probe against Rhodes lecturer dropped

INVESTIGATIONS into allegations of sexual harassment against a former Rhodes University senior politics lecturer found there was prima facie evidence against him, but the complainant refused to cooperate and the university could thus not take it further.

The staff member in question has since left the university.

In November, Rhodes vice-chancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela established an independent investigation after allegations were posted on social media.

The investigation concluded that there was a prima facie indication that the staff member concerned had, at the very least, engaged in an act of sexual harassment in regard to one complainant.

University spokeswoman Ilva Pieterse said the investigation was conducted by an external independent investigator who is an advocate with extensive experience in gender-violence cases.

An internal e-mail, put out by the communication and advancement division, states that the person who posted the allegations is still unknown despite attempts to establish the identity of the person.

All potential complainants who could be identified and traced were interviewed and informed of all the available options.

“The interviews revealed one particular matter in relation to a particular student, which the investigator viewed to potentially be worthy of consideration,” the e-mail states.

“To this end the potential complainant was traced to properly determine the nature of the potential complaint.”

The complainant, while initially reluctant, eventually agreed to be interviewed by the investigator following an undertaking to keep her identity secret.

“The potential complainant indicated that she was not aware of the source of the social media posts and knew nothing of the allegations.

“The potential complainant was insistent that the matter not be taken any further.”