Durban - A second female student has raised allegations of sexual relations against a separate University of Zululand lecturer as a sex-for-marks probe is under way at the institution.
The university had invited students to come forward and report to the whistle-blower service if there were more unreported incidents.
Vice-chancellor Professor Xoliswa Mtose told journalists at a media briefing in Empangeni on Wednesday that a woman student came to her directly to report a lecturer for having sexual relations with her.
Mtose said the first lecturer who faced allegations of sleeping with students for better marks, a professor, had reported sick and had handed in medical certificates since the allegations surfaced about two weeks ago.
“From a management point of view, we tried to get a sense of if there were other students. We said if you have been sexually molested, come forward.
“With regards to the person, he has reported sick from that time,” she said.
Students were reportedly engaging in sexual relationships with lecturers in exchange for marks, in what was described as a widespread practice.
Mtose said the issue was not unique to the university, and said there were similar allegations last year as well.
“It is not only a UniZulu problem, it is a problem in general (in our universities). In the last few years, various institutions have faced this problem. It is abnormal for academics to have these relationships with students,” she said.
Mtose said the investigation was ongoing. “One student has been brave to come to me directly. We are investigating that allegation,” she said.
She said the student came forward last week. Mtose said she had dealt with a similar case last year.
Daily News