Sex scandal rocks eThekwini Municipality’s HR office

eThekwini Municipality. FILE picture

eThekwini Municipality. FILE picture

Published May 8, 2022

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Durban - ALLEGATIONS of “sex for jobs and promotion” have surfaced within the corridors of eThekwini Municipality's human resources offices, resulting in a senior employee resigning from work after sexual harassment complaints were levelled against him.

The City Integrity and Investigation Unit (CIIU) was said to be investigating the sexual harassment complaints against the head in question who resigned abruptly when he was placed on suspension.

The Sunday Tribune has established that at least five women employees from the City’s HR unit raised sexual harassment complaints against the manager in question.

The HR official, whose name is known to this newspaper, was nearing retirement.

eThekwini Municipality. File photo.

An informant, who asked not to be named, confirmed the CIIU was investigating the matter after the victims lodged complaints. CIIU officials pounced on the alleged perpetrator’s office recently and found pornographic material, including porn DVDs, condoms, sexual enhancement pills and women’s underwear.

He was alleged to have used his influence and power to lure women to his office to have sexual intercourse and later reward them with permanent employment or promotions, the source said.

“Even the CIIU officials were shocked at the material they found in his office drawers during the raid. The office had a sleeper couch which he used as a bed for his acts of misconduct.

“Only five women have laid complaints at this stage, but there is belief that there are more victims in that unit, who became victims of his harassment, because of the power he wielded.

“He held a powerful position which enabled him to create positions and promote people because of the responsibility placed in his hands,” said the source.

The source said the manager’s modus operandi was to delegate work to women subordinates and requested them to report to his office after 4.30 pm, when other employees had gone home.

Another informant, who was familiar with the investigation, said the CIIU officials photographed the material found in the office.

The source said the information received from other employees revealed that “sex for jobs” became a norm at the office and employees were scared to speak out, fearing reprisal.

“The information we are getting is shocking. It seems like everyone knew about what was happening, but they kept silent. We believe the victims may have discussed the experiences among themselves, and drew collective courage to report the matter, which has led to senior management acting immediately against the serious allegations,” the source added.

The municipality was not prepared to respond to the Sunday Tribune’s related questions.

Msawakhe Mayisela, the City’s spokesperson, was not prepared to confirm or deny the allegations made by the newspaper’s sources, but said they related to an internal disciplinary matter and such details cannot be discussed with a third party.

“The City has an internal Sexual Harassment Policy, that stipulates that such matters are reported to the CIIU for thorough investigation.

“These matters are taken seriously, and the process stipulated in the policy will be adhered to, irrespective of whether or not the perpetrator is still an employee of the City or not,” he said. .

Worker unions have called for a thorough investigation of the allegations.

Queen Mbatha, the Independent Municipal Allied Trade Union’s deputy president said the matter needed serious attention.

“The allegations are very serious and we applaud the actions that have been taken. We call on the CIIU to investigate this matter and also escalate it to the SAPS. We hope the victims would be provided with the necessary support and counselling. We also hope the municipality ensures that the perpetrator’s benefits are frozen until the matter is concluded and justice served,” she said.

South African Municipal Workers’ Union Regional Secretary, Xolani Dube, confirmed that one of the managers resigned while the investigation was underway.

“We were informed about the resignation but we can not make any comment since there is an investigation going on. Once we receive the report we will be able to make an announcement as the union,”said Dube.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE