By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Office of the Deputy President has dismissed the allegations that Paul Mashatile and his Chief of Staff, Mduduzi Mbada, are protecting his spokesperson, Vukani Mde, over a sexual harassment complaint against him.
According to the report, a senior female staffer in the office, reporting directly to Mde, complained about unwarranted sexual advances last August.
Mde allegedly sent the victim “messages that are sexual in nature to her work cellphone number”, passed unwelcomed comments about her “sex life and her looks” and proposed love while communicating work instructions.
Fullview understands that the complainant made a detailed submission and met the independent investigator, while Mde refused to be interviewed by the investigator with one excuse after another.
On December 7, the investigator submitted a report that found prima facie evidence of sexual harassment and recommended that Mde be immediately subjected to a disciplinary hearing. But to date, that has not happened, resulting in Mde’s political principals being accused by staff of delaying and playing political games.
The investigator further said a disciplinary inquiry against Mde must be conducted under strict conditions that protect the victim.
The Office of the Deputy President has dismissed the allegation that they were shielding Mde.
“The Chief of Staff has briefed the Deputy President that a letter of intention to suspend Mde, in light of the allegations against him, was issued and hand-delivered to the spokesperson.”
“The Deputy President is aware that there is a process underway in the Presidency to investigate the allegations made against Mde by one of the senior employees in the office, and is of the view that all due processes should be adhered to, “the statement read.
Mashatile has since condemned any form of gender-based violence, especially against women, and said he believes that all employees should be protected from any victimisation.