Parliament has heard that many students do not report sexual harassment, because the officials they report to often lack the skills to deal with such cases. (Photo: iStock) 
Appearing before the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education on Wednesday, 16 July, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) cited a 2024 report that there is a lack of implementation of policies to address sexual harassment cases, and some universities lack the capacity to assist students.
“There are challenges around case management; there is a skills shortage among officials that are first responders… This led to many of the students stating that they would not report sexual harassment because they see that some of the alleged perpetrators are walking around because of cases that go through the cracks due to these skill shortages,” said Naledi Selebano, the acting head of research and policy at the CGE.
The CGE is responsible for promoting respect for gender equality, and the protection, development and attainment of gender equality.
“There are staff shortages and issues of caseload wherein one individual is dealing with or responsible for the entire institution, including numerous campuses, because with universities, they may have multiple campuses and not just one,” Selebano told the committee.
“There are issues around weaknesses with the protection: sometimes witnesses are reluctant to come forward; they do not want to be subjected to the process of hearings, and sometimes they lack the confidence to speak about issues of sexual harassment as well as to support the complainant.”
Read more in Daily Maverick: Higher education: The sexual assault scourge on South Africa’s campuses
The CGE said that pay disparities persisted along gender and race lines at SA’s tertiary institutions, particularly at senior post levels, disadvantaging women and African professionals. However, some universities, such as Stellenbosch University (SU), have initiated pay audits and allocated funding to address disparities.
The CGE found that while most tertiary institutions have GBV and sexual harassment policies, implementation is inconsistent.
The head of legal services at CGE, Tsietsi Shuping, said: “In many instances, victims do not report due to fear of stigma, retaliation, or uncertainty about institutional procedures. Many institutions have policy gaps on this issue. For instance, many universities lack comprehensive policies that directly address GBV; instead, focusing only on sexual harassment.
“There is often a gap between policy and practice, with poor enforcement of existing regulations. Research has also shown that universities sometimes downplay incidents of GBV to protect their reputation.”
NSFAS delays
Shuping said the delayed distribution of funds by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) contributed to students feeling vulnerable and becoming victims of sexual harassment.
“These delays may contribute to increased vulnerability to gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), as they often place students, especially during the registration period, under significant financial and emotional stress. Beyond tuition and accommodation, students also face urgent needs such as access to food.”
The chairperson of the portfolio committee, Tebogo Letsie, said these matters of the safety and security of students must be resolved. Letsie and MP Yanga Govana called on the deputy minister of higher education and training, Mimmy Gondwe, to ensure that NSFAS responds to the issue of allowances being released on time because some students find themselves in a harsh position and have sexual relationships with older men to get money.
/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ED_551543-1.jpg "Tebogo Letsie. (Photo: Mlungisi Louw / Gallo Images / Volksblad)")
Gondwe said, “We’re meeting on the 5th of August with NSFAS so that we can bring them on board regarding the concerns raised around the delayed payments that Honourable Govana mentioned.”
The CGE recommended that all people who deal with sexual harassment must be trained on victim- or survivor-first responder approaches. Uncomplicated, pragmatic policies must be developed and structures put in place at all higher education institutions, including Technical and Vocational Education colleges and Community Education and Training centres, to address sexual harassment. DM