DA urge probe into sex-for-jobs
Picketing at public works offices for fair job opportunities
DA members were advocating fair job opportunities and no sex-for-jobs by picketing outside the department of public works on Tuesday.
Access to jobs campaign spokesperson Geordin Hill-Lewis said they wanted management to take responsibility by investigating the matter as this was a common problem in all the provinces of the country.
“We are here because we’ve heard many allegations of how young girls in this town are forced to sleep with government officials to get access to work opportunities.
“In SA, work opportunities must be available to everyone equally. It doesn’t matter which party you come from, you do not have to pay any money and you certainly do not have to ever offer sexual favours or sleep with anyone to get those opportunities. We want an investigation so those officials who are responsible, are found and fired.”
Hill-Lewis indicated public works management had a responsibility to make sure such abusive tactics were not practised and that work opportunities are made available through a legal and fair system.
“I understand that everyone is desperate for work opportunities, but instead of agreeing to the disgusting practices these abusive men are suggesting, they must report these cases either to us or to the police so we can follow up. If they keep giving in to these demands the problem will never stop.”
DA Women’s Network provincial chair Georgina Faldtman said the duty of the women’s network in the province was to leave no stone unturned.
“It can’t be business as usual when women have to sleep their way up. Officials in these departments must be very careful because they are using their authoritative positions to sleep with vulnerable women and some of them are giving in because they have to provide for their families. We will raise our voices because we are elected to be the voice for the voiceless.”
Public works assistant manager Luvuyo Gatyeni acknowledged the visit and said he would forward the message to management.