State digs deep to settle sexual harassment cases

THE government has coughed up an undisclosed amount of money as compensation to two victims of sexual harassment over the past three years.

This emerged from written responses by Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba and Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi to parliamentary questions from EFF parliamentarians.

Nxesi said a contract employee took the Independent Development Trust (IDT) to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) after alleging that an official acted inappropriately when he embraced her in 2016.

He said the parties entered into a settlement agreement where the IDT was directed to pay six months’ equivalent of the victim’s monthly salary.

“The fact that the alleged perpetrator had taken responsibility, the IDT ordered him to pay half of the total six months’ pay, while the IDT committed to pay the other portion of the settlement agreement,” Nxesi said.

Gigaba said the department was hauled to the CCMA when a victim made allegations of sexual harassment in 2017.

“The commissioner ruled that the employee must be compensated for sexual harassment. The department implemented the sanction and the employee was compensated,” he said.

The two incidents form part of about 100 sexual harassment cases reported in the public service since 2016.

The replies show that dozens of officials were dismissed while several others resigned before disciplinary hearings were instituted. Some cases are pending investigation or disciplinary hearing.

Nxesi said there was still a case pending at the Construction Industry Development Board where a female official was accused of sexual harassment by a male security officer in 2016.

Justice Minister Michael Masutha said 14 cases of sexual harassment were reported at the Correctional Services Department since 2016.

In one case, an official was suspended without pay for a month for sending a nude picture to the East London area commissioner by cellphone.

Masutha also said a prison warder would face a disciplinary hearing for touching a prisoner’s private parts.

He also said the department had recorded two cases in 2016 and three in 2017.

Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister Siyabonga Cwele said eight cases were reported at the State Information and Technology Agency and the SA Post Office in 2016 and 2017.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said two cases were

Dozens of officials fired, others resigned

reported at the National Health Laboratory Services.

Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa reported four cases in her department between 2016 and 2017 and one at the SA National Biodiversity Institute.

Transport Minister Blade Nzimande reported 15 cases at the Airports Company SA, Air Traffic and Navigation Services, the Road Accident Fund, SA National Roads Agency Limited and the Passenger Rail Agency of SA.

Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene said 15 cases were reported at the Government Pensions Administration Agency, SA Airways, SA Revenue Service and the Tax Ombudsman.

Higher Education Minister Naledi Pandor said seven cases were reported at technical and vocational education and training colleges in 2017.

Science and Technology Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said four incidents were reported by entities under her department.