Cape Town - Anti-gender-based violence (GBV) activists have slammed the provincial government for its “double standards and disparity” in dealing with GBV in the workplace.
This comes in reaction to a report that senior officials at the provincial Department of Transport and Public Works ignored advice from legal counsel to reverse a decision not to conduct a disciplinary hearing against the head of traffic, Farrel Payne, who faces sexual harassment charges.
The ANC in the province has also called for the axing of the Transport and Public Works head of department, Jacqui Gooch, who is alleged to have ignored the recommendation to reverse her decision.
Payne, accused of sexual harassment and currently on trial in the Cape Town Regional Court after pleading not guilty to the charges brought against him, remains in his designated position of traffic chief, while his colleague and complainant in the matter was been booked off indefinitely on incapacity leave.
Anti-GBV activist Roegshanda Pascoe said Payne, currently out on R5 000 bail, should have been suspended for the duration of his criminal trial.
“The provincial government must be honest in saying if they are going back to the old workings of the National Party government where they operate as a law unto themselves.
“Payne should have been put on suspension the moment criminal charges were brought against him until the trial concludes with an outcome.
“The fact that they have decided to prosecute means that the state believes there is a case to investigate and pursue.
“I cannot say whether Albert Fritz was guilty or not of the allegations levelled against him, but no criminal charges were brought against him and he was fired, while Payne remains in his position despite being before court.”
Enquiries to the Transport and Public Works department were not answered by deadline on Monday.
Spokesperson for Premier Alan Winde, Regan Thaw, said: “With regard to Mr Payne, he is a public servant and not an elected official.
“Matters related to employees are administered in terms of the Public Service Act and Labour Law, in respect of which the Premier’s office has no involvement.
“This separation is one that well-run governments respect.
“Requests should hence be directed to the office of the head of department for Transport and Public Works, which is the appropriate authority in this matter.”
ANC provincial leader Cameron Dugmore said they had learnt with shock about the report which recommended the reversal.
“Given this new evidence, the ANC calls on Premier Winde to immediately suspend the HOD and launch an independent investigation into the matter.
“Despite Payne being on trial in the Cape Town Regional Court, facing charges of sexual assault, crimen injuria and sexual harassment, he remains in office with the full backing of senior officials in the department, while the alleged victim is at home,” said Dugmore.
Cape Times