News24 reports that Professor Tawana Kupe, who resigned abruptly as vice-chancellor of the University of Pretoria (UP) last week, was found guilty of sexual harassment in 2016 and issued with a final warning.

At the time, Kupe was vice-principal and deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits). He was appointed vice-chancellor of UP in January 2019. Allegedly Kupe did not declare his disciplinary record to UP when he was interviewed for the position of vice-chancellor in 2018. UP seemingly became aware of Kupe's history at Wits when they investigated him for sexual harassment and nepotism – for which he was cleared – at UP. An independent probe into the claims was concluded earlier this year after officials received an anonymous email that made the allegation against Kupe last year. The forensic investigation cleared Kupe after seven months, but brought to light his 2016 verdict and final warning. Kupe's term at UP was due to end in January next year. According to sources with direct knowledge of the 2016 case, Kupe was found to have committed "classic sexual harassment… grooming, commenting on his victims' hair, their clothes, leaving apples on their desks, asking them out on dates". Apparently there were more than two complainants at Wits. He was never alleged to have sexually assaulted anyone. Wits inside sources said there was a general feeling that Kupe was protected by the institution. But, according to a Wits spokesperson, Kupe's employment history was shared with UP at the time of his appointment. Kupe is scheduled to leave UP at the end of July.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24 (subscriber access only)

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