DA to intensify monitoring of GBV cases in Upington
| by Christopher Phiri, Cllr – DA Caucus Leader, Sol Plaatje Municipality |
| Date: 11 February 2020 |
| Release: IMM |
| The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for the immediate suspension of a senior official of Sol Plaatje municipality, who has been criminally charged with sexual assault.It is alleged that the official in question has been sexually harassing workers, even abusing his position to elicit sexual favours in exchange for the renewal of contracts of project workers.While at least one formal charge (CAS number:137/2/2020) has been opened against him, the DA is aware of at least five other complaints against the official in question.The DA wants an investigation into the sex-for-jobs allegations at Sol Plaatje municipality. Given the seriousness of the charges, we also deem it appropriate that the implicated official be suspended, pending the criminal charges against him.We cannot tolerate a situation whereby women are being exploited because of their vulnerability and their desperation for jobs. That is why we have long ago said that, if elected to power, we would introduce legislation allowing for the prosecution of people who demanded sex in exchange for jobs, and the imposition of a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.The DA is aware that there are workers at the municipality who are not reporting similar incidents because of fear of further victimization and of losing their monthly stipends. We want to call on these people, who may have been sexually harassed or approached for benefits in exchange for sexual favours, to come forward. Together, we can fight the scourge of gender-based violence in whatever shape or form it presents itself.The DA will further be submitting a proposal to randomize the EPWP job allocation system within Sol Plaatje municipality, to ensure that the EPWP programme is fair and shuts the door on abuse and corruption, as the DA has done where we govern. |
| Media Enquiries |
| Christopher Phiri, CllrDA Caucus Leader, Sol Plaatje Municipality078 740 9930 Shelley De WittResearcher082 847 1387 |
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