Statement from the Chairperson of the Council of Wits
- By Mr Saki Macozoma
In light of the recent issues pertaining to sexual harassment, the Council of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, has unequivocally resolved to redouble its efforts to ensure that:
1. a zero tolerance approach towards sexual harassment is exercised throughout the institution;
2. members of the Wits community, and others, can work and study in a safe, secure environment, without fear or intimidation;
3. victims of any form of harassment, including sexual harassment, are protected, and given sufficient counseling and support;
4. the University has adequate policies, processes and procedures in place to safeguard its citizens against any form of harassment;
5. the policies of the University, its governance processes and the law are upheld, and that due process is exercised throughout all investigative and ancillary practices;
6. members of the Wits community are aware of these policies, processes and procedures which should be clear and unambiguous; and
7. the University responds to allegations of harassment swiftly and confidentially, in line with due process.
To this end, the University has already commissioned two independent investigations into sexual harassment. The first is an investigation into specific cases related to sexual harassment. The University has appointed the law firm Bowman Gilfillan to lead this investigation on its behalf. It is anticipated that the investigation into these specific cases will be complete in the next month.
The second investigation is a campus-wide inquiry into sexual harassment, which will be completed in August 2013. This inquiry is being led by the Head of the Centre of Applied Legal Studies, Professor Bonita Meyersfeld and Joe Mothibi from Norton Rose. The objective of this inquiry is to “conduct…….. an assessment of the existing policies and procedures and the policies and procedures which ought to be in place at the University, for the purpose of preventing instances of sexual harassment at the University through the implementation of educational and contractual mechanisms; and ensuring that processes are in place to effectively deal with specific allegations of sexual harassment”.
Council is confident that these two inquiries will go a long way in ensuring that the University seriously reflects on and examines harassment within our community; and that they will bring to the fore areas in which Wits may be successful or found wanting.
Council commits to addressing the concerns raised through the inquiries with the vigour and veracity that it deserves, in order to ensure that our campuses are safe, secure and welcoming, to all who work or study here.
Mr Saki Macozoma
Chairperson of Council
24 April 2013