Sexual-harassment claims against former Gauteng minister of social development Bob Mabaso will be internally investigated by the African National Congress (ANC), the party said on Thursday.
”When charges were laid to the police by the complainant, she also lodged a complaint within the ANC, so the matter is not over,” said ANC provincial spokesperson Hope Mankwana Papo at a media briefing in Johannesburg.
”Now that the case has been finalised by the National Prosecuting Authority [NPA], I am ready to take part in the ANC internal disciplinary process to finalise the matter,” said Mabaso.
”I am glad about the NPA decision and reaffirm my confidence in the institutions of our criminal justice system. I’ve also lodged a complaint within the ANC [against the harassment complainant], which I requested to be investigated and decided upon.”
Mabaso revealed that the complainant was Pastor Nonqaba Mosunkutu, a long-time family friend and colleague. Mosunkutu is the wife of Gauteng minister of agriculture, conservation and environment Khabisi Mosunkutu and a member of the ANC.
”I was shocked when the allegation was delivered; when I heard who made it, I thought it was a joke,” said Mabaso.
His wife, Elizabeth, attended the briefing. She said the experience was painful for her family, with her four children trying to understand why the charges were brought against their father.
”It was difficult to understand; we never had an argument with the family [the Mosunkutus] and she visited my husband in hospital after the alleged incident took place,” she said.
Mabaso said he would forgive his accuser, should she apologise. ”The families have come such a long way. I will not be burdened with hate,” he said.
Mosunkutu alleged that the incident took place early in November 2005. Mabaso ”was informed” about the charges in January and stepped down as provincial minister on January 26.
Mabaso is looking forward to resume work, saying he will be grateful when the ANC redeploys him after the internal investigation.
The NPA informed Mabaso in August that the allegations made against him at the end of 2005 will not lead to criminal proceedings. The ANC in Gauteng announced the NPA decision on Wednesday. — Sapa