By Linda Daniels and Moshoeshoe Monare
The CEO and chairperson of the Commission on Gender Equality, Chana Majake and Joyce Piliso-Seroke, say they have been vindicated by the Public Protector's decision to clear them of allegations of mismanagement and corruption.
Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana first confirmed receipt of an anonymous complaint against the commission in December 2005 and announced the findings of an investigation on Tuesday.
While Mushwana cleared the commission of most of the allegations, he found it inexcusable that the commission had failed for almost two years to deal with a case of sexual harassment against one of its provincial heads.
Other complaints contained in the anonymous letter included that the commission bought "unnecessary equipment of no benefit to the commission's target audience" and that commissioners allegedly used meter taxis while receiving car allowances.
The letter also stated that commissioners allegedly used laptops allocated to them by the commission after their term of office expired and that chairperson Joyce Piliso-Seroke and CEO Chana Majake had travelled first class to a United Nations convention in New York.
On allegations of misappropriation of taxpayers' money regarding the payments for commissioners' trips, Mushwana cleared the CEO, saying the chairperson of the commission approved the trips without the additional approval of the CEO and chief financial officer.
He said that this made it difficult for the CEO to account for finances.
"It would be more prudent that the chairperson, as executing authority, consults her."
Mushwana dismissed the allegation that commissioners were using meter taxis in addition to receiving car allowances and said some of them did not have driver's licences. He said he could find no evidence supporting the allegation that laptops issued to commissioners were not accounted for.
In response to the findings, Piliso-Seroke said: "The commission subscribes to the principles of openness, transparency and accountability. In keeping with these principles, we welcomed the Public Protector's investigation into the charges. And with the release of the Public Protector's report, the CEO and I have been (cleared) of mismanagement and corruption."
She said some of the recommendations made by the Public Protector following his investigation had already been adopted by the commission.
This included a team-building exercise for staff members as well as a workshop to educate staff about procedures established to deal with their grievances.
Piliso-Seroke said performance standards had also been established at the commission.
Mushwana nevertheless criticised the commission for dragging its feet in dealing with a case of sexual harassment against a senior official.
The alleged perpetrator, who is still in the employ of the commission, was initially found guilty and given a final written warning. But he later won the matter on appeal.
Mushwana said staff members at the commission were demoralised by the two-year delay.
Piliso-Seroke said the delay was regrettable. She said the commission had a sexual harassment policy in place, but some improvements were needed internally.
"These include strengthening certain processes for managing complaints and enhancing communication about sexual harassment. We have started this process prior to the release of (Mushwana's) report."
Piliso-Seroke "expressed her deep disappointment that an investigation of this nature was prompted by an anonymous complaint.
"It is disturbing that we still do not know who this individual or individuals are and whether they are even part of the commission family.
"We have processes in place which can be utilised by any person or groups who feel aggrieved," Piliso-Seroke said.