Johannesburg – A University of Johannesburg (UJ) manager accused of sexually harassing a colleague nonstop for several years was allowed to resign a day before an internal inquiry into his conduct was set to start.
The former manager allegedly sent his female subordinate pornographic materials via his official work email between 2008 and 2010.
But his harassment then allegedly turned physical.
Police have been accused of dragging their feet in probing the matter, with the investigator allegedly sending the complainant motivational and biblical scriptures on WhatsApp instead of arresting the accused.
A UJ insider alerted The Star to the incident “because the victim was frustrated by the university and the police’s inaction in investigating the matter”.
The Star understands the woman, in her early 50s, endured a torrent of sexual harassment at the hands of her manager between 2008 and last year.
After he stopped sending the pornography, he allegedly started harassing the woman in her office with inappropriate remarks, also asking her to touch his penis and perform oral sex on him.
According to the source, the married mother rejected the advances, and matters came to a head in July last year after the manager tried to institute disciplinary processes against her for being in hospital and not notifying him.
“It was then it became clear it was a witch-hunt for her rejecting his advances.
“She was left with no choice but to institute her own grievance despite,” the source added.
“The complainant, in her letter of grievance to UJ’s human resources department, said this guy would come to her office and stand behind the door and unbutton his pants.”
According to the complainant, the man would also allegedly kneel on the floor, touching her between her legs and private parts.
Some directors were aware of the incidents but did nothing about it, the insider alleged.
The Star has seen the charge sheet UJ sent to the man on July 28 last year. The disciplinary hearing was set for August 11 but the man resigned a day before the inquiry was to begin.
Police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele confirmed the case but said no one had been arrested yet.
The alleged sex pest confirmed a case had been opened against him but would not comment further.
Asked why UJ had not instituted legal proceedings against the manager when he resigned, UJ spokesperson Kaamini Reddy said: “If an employee resigns, it ends the contract which grants UJ the power to take action against the person.”