UPDATE: Sex scandal confirmation at Unizulu
Vice chancellor addresses university scandals
ANOTHER University of Zululand student has come forward admitting she was sexually involved with a lecturer, confirming reports of a possible sex-for-marks scandal at the institution.
Speaking at a media briefing in Empangeni on Wednesday, vice chancellor Professor Xoliswa Mtose confirmed the student had approached her personally.
This after the university issued a plea for students to come forward following media reports surrounding lecturers who allegedly altered marks or allowed students to pass in return for sex.
One of the lecturers has been booked off sick since the story appeared earlier this month.
Mtose further confirmed that the student in question had come forward, giving credit to ZO sources who said the practice of lecturers and students being involved sexually was rife on campus.
‘So far‚ only one student was brave enough to come forward. We are busy investigating‚’ Mtose said.
She confirmed another lecturer was actually dismissed for similar incidents last year, which is believed to be linked to the current case.
‘It seems as if what happened last year and what is happening right now is related. But it is still under investigation.’
She said it was not a problem unique to Unizulu.
The media briefing was held to discuss a wide array of critical reports that were published in the media surrounding issues at the university, namely:
• The purchase of housing for executives at the Zini River Estate to the tune of R24.7-million
• The degrees for cash and sex scandals
• The ongoing staff strike and issues raised by NEHAWU
• Executive level staff turnover and reports regarding their dismissal
• Student accommodation
• Student fees
‘Unizulu has been plagued with bad publicity lately,’ said Mtose.
‘Ranging from the so-called degrees-for-sale scandal to sex in exchange for better marks, executives living large and even the Minister of Higher Education and Training implicated in the so-called fraudulent printing contract.
‘It is important to properly align the current skewed picture of the university. The institution has been hitchhiked (sic) by forces who are against the progression and the change in management. It is therefore important that we correct this skewed picture.’
The issues discussed at the briefing will be covered in more detail in future ZO reports.
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