Former Unisa vice-chancellor Professor Barney Pityana and Professor Rocky Ralebipi-Simela revealed they were approached by some of the victims of the sex for jobs and promotions scandal at the troubled Vaal University of Technology (VUT), who bravely shared their experiences.

The investigation was conducted also by former National Library of South Africa chief executive Professor Rocky Ralebipi-Simela after the appointment by then higher education and training minister Dr Naledi Pandor in May last year.

”This comes by way of seeking sexual favours for employment and for promotions from senior managers at the institution. In practice, it is in the abuse of women when breakaways are organised seemingly in order to make women available to senior managers and executives,” reads the report.

“There is a view (though it is hard to prove) that appointments and promotions at the university are achieved through the demand and provision of sexual favours.”

They said they decided against naming the staff members who complained and the alleged perpetrators but instead informed former University of Johannesburg vice-chancellor Professor Ihron Rensburg, who has been VUT’s administrator since August last year.

Controversial former VUT council chairperson and ex-eMfuleni mayor Simon Mofokeng yesterday defended his record at the institution, saying he was never consulted during the independent assessors’ investigation.