South Africa’s ambassador to Indonesia, Norman Mashabane, found guilty last year at an internal disciplinary hearing on 21 cases of sexual harassment, is to be represented at his appeal hearing by his union.
In a statement on Thursday, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) said it took cases of sexual harassment very seriously.
”While we will be representing Mr Mashabane, it does not in any case mean we support sexual harassment by managers/political appointees.
”We will represent Mr Mashabane because he is a member of Nehawu in good standing, therefore legally and constitutionally we are obliged to represent him in any case that arises in his employee and employer relationship.”
Following the finding of the disciplinary hearing last year, Mashabane appealed and was allowed to continue in his post pending the outcome.
However, a new complaint of sexual harassment was lodged against him in July this year, prompting calls by the Democratic Alliance to speedily resolve the matter.
Earlier this month, the department of foreign affairs said it was holding a disciplinary hearing into the renewed allegations of sexual misconduct against the ambassador.
Foreign affairs spokesman Ronnie Mamoepa said at the time all the allegations against the ambassador were receiving the urgent attention of Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
”The minister is awaiting certain information that may have a bearing on the outcome of the appeal. In respect of the second allegation, the matter has been referred to a disciplinary hearing, which is currently on,” he said.
In its statement, Nehawu accused the DA and the Public Service Association of ”making unfounded statements and allegations about the case”.
”We call on the DA to refrain from such. There is a legal process taking place where the victim together with the employer, government, will present their case, and the judge/presiding officer will make findings based on available evidence.” the union
said. – Sapa