CAPE TOWN - The Albert Fritz saga has triggered an end-to-end review of the province’s sexual harassment policy which was adopted in 2011.
It has also emerged that the probe into sexual misconduct allegations against the former MEC costed more than R160 000 from the public purse.
This was revealed in written replies from Premier Alan Winde to questions by ANC spokesperson on Community Safety Melusi Kama.
Fritz was axed last month after a report by Advocate Jennifer Williams found that the allegations of sexual harassment against him by four women were substantiated.
Winde said the report by Williams also found that there is sufficient credibility in the allegations of sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse; and Fritz creating an environment that is conducive to sexual harassment.
Winde added the full report will not be made available without consent from the complainants, witnesses or a court order.
“I am committed to doing everything I can to end gender-based violence and will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure that this matter is addressed fully, in terms of the law.
This is absolutely not the end of this matter, and further steps are being taken,” he said.
A review of the province’s sexual harassment policy, and incorporating distinct and specific sexual harassment and GBV clauses in the Western Cape ministerial handbook will be among steps to be taken.
“We believe that this would be a first for any executive handbook in South Africa, and I will advocate for these clauses to become part of the national ministerial handbook,” said Winde.
Kama called for the investigation report to be made public.
“Given that the investigation ordered by Premier Winde into the Albert Fritz affair cost a total of R161 460, which came from taxpayers and not the Premier’s back pocket, we are entitled to demand the report be released.
“This is not about scoring political points, this is about exposing the DA hypocrisy because we believe senior party members knew about what Fritz is alleged to have done for years but chose not to act,” Kama said.
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Community Safety, Reagen Allen said during a meeting of the Standing Committee on Community Safety, it was resolved that a legal opinion be obtained from the Western Cape Provincial Parliament’s (WCPP) legal unit regarding the possible release of the investigative report.
“The basis of this legal opinion was to determine whether the legislature could compel the disclosure of the full investigation, contingent on the names of the complainants and witnesses being redacted.
“During the meeting both the Premier and Advocate Jennifer Williams stressed the importance of protecting the wishes of complainants in this matter.
“After considering the sensitive nature of the report, the WCPP legal unit confirmed the Premier and Advocate Williams had argued convincingly that the legal and public policy considerations favour non-disclosure,” Allen said.
Anti-gender-based violence (GBV) activist Alexis Serra said the ongoing case against Fritz was not an isolated incident of sexual harassment in the workplace.
“It is merely the tip of the iceberg of a misogynistic era that is still alive and flourishing in the workplace, where booze and woman are still viewed as objects to please and do what they are told.”
Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) spokesperson, Javu Baloyi said they welcome the initiative to review the province’s sexual harrassment policies.
“The Commission is open for consultative processes as this will help the Province to have a policy that would be effective and efficient.
We hope that the policy will include things like bullying and intimidation. It is also our resolve that the policy would have an implementation plan. Everyone would be workshopped accordingly as policies at times are written for junior staff members forgetting that the abusers and harassers are those in senior position thinking that they are entitled to their deeds,“ Baloyi said.
Fritz did not respond to questions on Wednesday.
Cape Times