Report: SABC a ‘brothel run by prostitutes’

LOTUS FM was flagged as the worst of the SABC’S departments when the public broadcaster’s findings and recommendations stemming from its commission of inquiry into sexual harassment were released on Tuesday.

The report stated that “Lotus FM was run by men who regard the station as their fiefdom and the women their personal harem” and the SABC was labelled a “brothel run by prostitutes”.

“There is a worrying history of gender-based violence cases from Lotus FM, indicating a need for strong leadership, which appears weak,” reads the report. It adds that it would be advisable for the legal section to support the leadership so that the SABC does not incur high reputational damage and litigation costs.

Lotus FM’S station manager Alvin Pillay did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Former SABC employee Vanessa Govender, who testified at the commission of inquiry, said the goings-on at the SABC were symptomatic of the constant daily threat that women in the country faced.

She added that this corporate culture was not exclusive to the public broadcaster.

In her book, Beaten But Not Broken, Govender revealed the alleged physical and sexual abuse she suffered at the hands of a fellow employee at the SABC.

She said she had become emotional during the live television broadcast, adding that it was a moment where she and others were finally acknowledged.

“My experience can never be undone but it played a small role in trying to create a safer place for other young women at the SABC. It was worth reliving my trauma when it came to writing the book and speaking to the commission.”

Commission chairperson Barbara Watson revealed that over 40 people had spoken during the inquiry, including whistle-blowers of alleged sexual harassments.

Ten of them were direct victims. One of these was Mishka Gounden. The former Lotus FM employee said she felt a sense of “vindication” and was glad “real culprits” would now have to answer for their actions.

“These issues of sexual harassment at the station have been raised time and again at the SABC to no avail. I always maintained that one can never run from the truth for too long.”

She was fired on July 16 after sexually explicit videos she took were leaked via Whatsapp. She is reportedly taking both the SABC and a radio jock, who is alleged to have leaked the videos, to court.

Her lawyer, Yugan Naidu, has since formally requested the SABC to submit proper reasons for his client’s termination by November 9.

She said the station had a great future and she had no doubt it would take its place again as the pride and joy of the Indian community..

The recommendations by the commission included training workshops and policies and procedures to empower staff in respect of gender equality and human rights.