(FXI/IFEX) – Max Hamata, who wrote an article published in the “Mail & Guardian” (18-24 September) titled “Sex for sale on campus,” has received threatening phone calls from anonymous callers. Hamata’s article on prostitution at Peninsula Technikon (“Pentech”) alleges that sex services are available from certain female students for both on- and off-campus men. One […]
(FXI/IFEX) – Max Hamata, who wrote an article published in the “Mail &
Guardian” (18-24 September) titled “Sex for sale on campus,” has received
threatening phone calls from anonymous callers. Hamata’s article on
prostitution at Peninsula Technikon (“Pentech”) alleges that sex services
are available from certain female students for both on- and off-campus men.
One of the female students told Hamata that she has been in the sex trade
for two years and her two best friends are also involved in the trade. The
article says that sex workers at Pentech invite potential clients by placing
advertisements at strategic points on campus, like automatic [banking]
teller machines (ATMs) at the student centre, the male residence and
cafeteria. “Customers will be treated confidentially and will receive
preferential treatment,” reads one ad.
In reaction to his article, Hamata was called into the office of the deputy
vice-chancellor, Ms VL Tanga, where he was questioned and accused of being
disloyal to the institution. Tanga interrogated him in the company of six
other management staff members. Hamata was also questioned by Campus
Security, which attempted to force him to reveal the names of his sources.
Hamata refused, saying that this would be a breach of confidentiality.
Although Hamata’s article did not suggest that all female students on campus
were involved in prostitution, a circular issued by the vice-chancellor
implies that this is what he alleged in his article. Consequently those
students, particularly women students, who have not read the article but
have read the circular are targeting Hamata.
Furthermore, those sources who Hamata did name are being forced to retract
their statements. They claim that their Technikon careers will be over if
they do not. Hamata says the vice-chancellor has deviated from a real
problem of sex trade on the campus to a non-issue of smearing him against
women students. He says he no longer feels safe on campus.
