Durban -The state 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 MPs since June.
Nxesi said a contract employee took the Independent Development Trust (IDT) to the CCMA after reporting that an official acted inappropriately when he embraced her in 2016.
He said the parties entered into a settlement agreement whereby the IDT was directed to pay six months’ equivalent of the victim’s monthly salary.
“Due to the fact the 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 their department was hauled before the CCMA when a victim laid a complaint of sexual harassment in 2017.
“The commissioner ruled that the employee had to 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 others resigned before their disciplinary hearings.
In some cases, officials got final written warnings, or were sent for rehabilitation. In other cases, investigations or disciplinary hearings are pending.
Nxesi said a case was pending at the Construction Industry Development Board, where a female official was accused of sexual harassment by a male security officer in 2016.
Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha said 14 cases of sexual harassment had been reported in 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.
A prison warder is to face a disciplinary hearing for touching a prisoner’s private parts, he said, while the Justice Department recorded two cases in 2016 and three in 2017.
Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister Siya-bonga Cwele said eight cases were reported at the State Information and Technology Agency and the SA Post Office in 2016 and 2017.
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said two cases were reported at the National Health Laboratory Services.
Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa reported four cases in her department in 2016 and 2017, and one at the SA National Biodiversity Institute.
Reported
Transport Minister Blade Nzimande said 15 cases were reported at Acsa, Air Traffic and Navigation Services, the Road Accident Fund, Sanral and Prasa.
Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene said 15 cases were reported at the Government Pensions Administration Agency, SAA, Sars and Office of the Tax Ombudsman. Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor said seven cases were reported at technical and vocational education and training colleges in 2017.
Daily News
Science and Technology Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said four incidents were reported by entities under her department.