Unisa probes sexual harassment allegations against NSRC member

• Unisa is investigating allegations of sexual harassment against a National Student Representative Council member.
• Counter-allegations of online harassment have also been made.
• The council said it did not issue a statement about the complaint.

The University of South Africa (Unisa) is investigating allegations of sexual harassment against a National Student Representative Council (NSRC) member.

Unisa said the allegations were contained in a statement that was issued on an NSRC letterhead on Friday. The statement indicated that the complaint had been reported to the university and the police.

Unisa confirmed that the sexual harassment complaint had been lodged with the university.

"The university can also confirm that the said member of the NSRC has also lodged a complaint of online harassment," Unisa said in a statement.

The Office of the Dean of Students, through the Student Disciplinary Office, has initiated an internal process "to investigate both complaints and take appropriate steps".

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"The university will also afford the necessary space and respect to the external process being handled by the South African Police Services (SAPS) in relation to the sexual harassment complaint and will co-operate with this investigation should it be required to do so," the university said.

The university appealed to people to allow the internal process to run its course "without any hindrance, undue influence or pressure".

NSRC president Wandile Giwu said the NSRC would meet the university later this week to discuss the allegations.

He added that the NSRC would not be in a position to comment on the allegations until after the meeting.

However, Giwu said the NSRC did not issue the statement and added that there would be a probe into the issuing of the statement.

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