Deputy President Paul Mashatile has taken action in response to sexual harassment allegations against an employee in his office.
The employee has been suspended with full pay, following claims that the deputy president was protecting him. According to a Sunday World article, a senior female employee in Mashatile’s office reported mistreatment from a top official last August.
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In a statement, the deputy minister dismissed accusations of protecting the official and emphasised that due process should be followed. His office stated that a letter of intention to suspend the employee had been issued and hand-delivered to the deputy president’s spokesperson.
The allegations made against the employee are currently being investigated by the Presidency.
Mashatile’s office announced the immediate suspension of the employee with full pay, considering the seriousness of the allegations. The decision was made to ensure that the alleged victim feels protected during the investigation process.
“[Mr X] has assured us of his willingness to cooperate with the investigation and the entire process to clear his name,” his office said.
“The decision to suspend [Mr X] is also to ensure that the alleged victim feels protected during this process.”
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The suspended employee has expressed willingness to cooperate and clear his name.
This development comes in the wake of Mashatile being charged with a crime by the Democratic Alliance (DA) in response to allegations connecting him to individuals accused of state capture. The deputy president has denied any wrongdoing.
Please note that the name “Mr X” used in this article is a pseudonym.
