Masters in the art of extorting sex from students
THE University of Zululand has launched a probe into claims that students are having sex with lecturers in exchange for better marks.
This week the Sunday Times confronted one lecturer, Samuel Olivier, with photos of himself in compromising positions with two women believed to be students.
Olivier, who lectures in public administration, threatened on Friday to sue if the photos — which he allegedly circulated to his colleagues at the university — were published.
The Sunday Times understands a lecturer lodged a complaint against Olivier with the registrar after overhearing him allegedly “bragging” about sexual encounters.
“I don’t want to talk to you,” Olivier said when contacted for comment. “Please leave me alone.”
He initially denied having sex with students. When the Sunday Times sent him the photos, he refused to answer further questions.
Four lecturers, a student and a former lecturer all said they had seen the photos and that Olivier and other lecturers were sleeping with students. Three lecturers confirmed that the women in the photos were students at the university.
A former lecturer who asked not to be named said: “These raunchy photos are just the tip of the iceberg. I know one lecturer who has sex with five to seven students every week.”
The former lecturer, who admitted having been forced to leave the university after being accused of similar shenanigans, said he became aware of the sex-for-grades practice almost immediately after starting at the university in 2011.
“I was shocked when some of the students offered me sex for better grades, but when I told my colleagues about it, they laughed at me, saying that’s how things were done.
“One lecturer was even boasting how he had sex with all the female students in his class in 2014. The university has become a brothel.”
A former student said: “If the girl is beautiful she doesn’t have to pay [to have marks upgraded] but give the official a good time.”
The Sunday Times reported last month that police are investigating allegations that more than 4 000 people had bought their qualifications from the university since 1996.
University spokeswoman Gcinekile Nhleko confirmed that an investigation had been launched.
She said the allegations “compromised the reputation of the university and student wellness”.