Discrimination, harassment, victimisation or gender-based violence
These go to the Equality Unit, not to this committee.
The Equality Unit (EqU) handles unfair discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, gender-based violence and victimisation, for both staff and students, and can support you through either an informal or a formal process.
| Route | Details |
|---|---|
| Report online | thetha.sun.ac.za reporting platform SU's online reporting portal. Anonymous reports can be lodged here — but see the note below on what anonymity means. |
| unfair@sun.ac.za Under SU policy an emailed complaint counts as reported unofficially. | |
| Phone | +27 21 808 3136 |
| In person | Huis Simon Nkoli House, 39 Victoria Street, Stellenbosch A formal complaint must be lodged here in person. |
| Independent tip-off line | 0800 346 346 · SU_unfair@tip-offs.com Independently monitored, 24 hours, for racism, unfair discrimination, victimisation and harassment. |
What anonymity actually gets you
You can lodge a report anonymously, through the online platform or the tip-off line. But an anonymous report cannot be investigated. SU's Policy on Unfair Discrimination and Harassment provides that anonymous complaints cannot be explored by the Equality Unit or investigated by an advisory panel; the most that can happen is that the relevant faculty or division is informed.
If you want the matter taken further, you will need to be identifiable to the Unit — though your identity is then handled confidentially within the process.
What happens next
These are the steps SU's own policy sets out. The timeline is the policy's, not a guarantee.
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You make contact
Informally by email or phone, or formally in person at the Unit. An Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Officer (ADHO) is assigned to you.
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Preliminary assessment
The ADHO completes a standardised intake with you. You are briefed on your options, on available support services, on your right to withdraw, on the limits of confidentiality, and on your right to obtain your own legal advice.
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Referral to the advisors' team
The case goes to a team of advisors, who must make a recommendation to the Head of the Equality Unit — the policy says preferably within three working days.
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The respondent is notified
Only once the advisors have made their recommendation. The respondent is allocated their own ADHO.
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An outcome route is chosen
Mediation (the policy's stated preference), a staff or student disciplinary investigation, an HR process, an advisory panel, or referral back to the line function.
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Support afterwards
Post-intervention support is offered. If you are dissatisfied with the outcome you receive written feedback, and you may take the matter to the Office of the Ombud.
One thing worth knowing up front: the policy allows the University to proceed under its Disciplinary Code even where the complainant would prefer not to pursue the matter. Reporting is not always something you can unwind.
Source: SU Policy on Unfair Discrimination and Harassment, Addendum A/B, clauses 5.1–5.11. See the Equality Unit page for the Unit's own description.
Dishonesty, poor governance or misuse of University resources
SU runs an independently monitored, 24-hour tip-off line. Reports can be made anonymously.
| Route | Details |
|---|---|
| Tip-off line | 0800 005 749 Toll-free, 24 hours. KPMG Faircall — monitored independently of the University. |
| Report online | KPMG Faircall reporting form |
| [To confirm with Risk Management] SU obscures this address on its public pages; confirm before publishing. |
When existing structures haven't resolved it
The Office of the Ombud handles student, parent and staff complaints independently of the University, where the ordinary structures have not dealt with the matter satisfactorily. The Ombud works confidentially and informally, makes findings and recommendations rather than rulings, and will not take on purely academic complaints or matters already before a court.
| Route | Details |
|---|---|
| Ombud | Advocate Rina Meyer |
| Urgent matters | 082 807 2994 |
| Appointments | Ms Grace Bruintjies — [email to confirm] SU sources give three different addresses for this office. Confirm on 082 807 2994 before publishing. |
| More information | Office of the Ombud |
Support, separate from reporting
You do not have to open a case to get help.
Students
| 24-hour crisis service | +27 10 205 3032 Operated for SU by ER24. Tygerberg campus: 082 557 0880. Standard call rates apply — this line is not toll-free. |
|---|---|
| Centre for Student Counselling and Development | +27 21 808 4994 · +27 21 808 4707 · support@sun.ac.za Office hours. Centre page. |
| Disability Unit | +27 21 808 4707 · disability@sun.ac.za |
Staff
| BeWell | bewell@sun.ac.za Centre for Business Intelligence, 12 Murray Street, Stellenbosch. |
|---|---|
| Employee Assistance Programme | [number to confirm with HR] SU's staff support page confirms an EAP and 24-hour confidential crisis lines exist, but publishes no number. HR (Manager: Employee Wellness) holds these details. |
Outside the University
| Rape Crisis, Stellenbosch | 082 977 8581 |
|---|---|
| Lifeline Cape Town | 021 592 2601 |
Not a complaint, but an idea?
If what you have is a proposal about how the Faculty theorises, realises or enables transformation, that is the committee's work rather than a reporting matter.
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