‘Sex pest’ CEO paid to leave

The Film and Publication Board (FPB) opted to skip disciplinary processes and instead give former CEO Themba Wakashe a golden handshake to leave the state entity, much to the dismay of Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo, pictured.

Dlodlo was informed by the board that Wakashe was offered a cash settlement as it would be difficult for the organisation to prove its case against him.

“The process was completed but no hearing was held,” Dlodlo said. “They paid the CEO and he has left the institution.

“I find it quite odd that entities will readily pay off an individual who is alleged to be a sex pest… that the board would choose to withdraw the charges and actually write him a letter offering him good references in order for him to leave … to me, that is very problematic.”

She had yet to receive a report from the FPB or to hear whether the sexual harassment charge was true. “If you offer me good references in order to vacate the position, then the question arises as to whether you had a case against me in the first instance,” she said.

However, FPB council member Matome Ditlhake said the employee who laid the sexual misconduct complaint would not testify against Wakashe.

“We went through a process to investigate, but that person was not willing to come forward.

“This was already out in the media and the former CEO was branded as a sex pest... unfortunately, we did not have the evidence as the witness did not want to come forward, so on that charge, we did not have a case.”

Wakashe faced over 200 charges, including allegations of insubordination, sexual harassment of an employee and absconding from work. He was suspended last year and denied all the allegations. He reportedly said he was ready to defend himself.

Ditlhake said Wakashe had 14 months outstanding on his contract and was paid that as a settlement. He would not say how much the golden handshake was. – ANA