“I feel unsafe, and I have to constantly look over my shoulder. This has taken a toll on my mental health. I have become a very anxious person,” says a victim of alleged sexual harassment at the Free State Department of Health.
A month ago Vistapublished an article about the inaction from the Department of Health and MEC Mathabo Leeto on sexual harassment cases involving three health workers at the Bongani Regional Hospital.
One had to resign, and the employees are still left with unanswered questions.
It has been alleged that a delegated manager was found guilty of sexual harassment and was dismissed.
The perpetrator made an appeal to the MEC, who is the appealing authority.
Also, the perpetrator disputed the dismissal, which has not been finalised.
According to the disciplinary code and protection for the Department of Health, an appeal must be finalised within 30 days from the date of the receipt.
The MEC has not given a verdict for the appeal.
This delay from the appealing office worries employees, as it is not known what decision the office will take.
One of the employees mentioned that the appeal allowed the perpetrator to come to work until a decision has been made.
This is making them lose faith in the department, as the victims are now suffering with him being at work.
The second victim’s contract was not renewed, apparently after she refused to offer the perpetrator what he wanted.
She did not lay a charge as she is scared for her life, and mentioned how traumatic the harassment was.
“Will the department ignore all the females who come forward with sexual harassment?
“We have lost faith in the system,” says one of the employees.
The employees are asking if the MEC is for women.
If she stands with women, why is she so silent regarding this matter, they would like to know.
“We feel the MEC is being two-faced, because she does not practise what she preaches,” they say.
- Despite numerous attempts at requesting comment on the situation, Vista could not get hold of the Department of Health or the MEC.
