Premier
- What (i) is the number and (ii) are the details of all the allegations of sexual harass-ment and other related matters that have been reported in the provincial government’s departments and entities in (aa) 2019, (bb) 2020, (cc) 2021, (dd) 2022, (ee) 2023, (ff) 2024 and (gg) 2025 to date and (b) of these, (i) what are the details of each allegation, (ii) which department or entity was involved, (iii) what are the details of the officials accused, (iv) how many cases were investigated and (v) what were the outcomes of each investigation?
The question refers to sexual harassment and other related matters. Sexual harassment is a distinct category of misconduct, and this response refers only to such cases. It is requested that the Member concerned pose further questions for other specific categories of misconduct for which information is sought.
In line with due process and applicable labour legislation, all reported allegations of any kind of misconduct are investigated to conclusion. The Western Cape Government maintains robust operating procedures to decisively act against perpetrators and to protect survivors of sexual harassment. The WCG has appointed and trained Harassment Contact Advisors (HCA) within each department with whom employees can lodge their complaints. The HCAs will advise the complainant on the possible recourse and arrange counselling where required. Complaints of sexual harassment will also be referred to the Directorate: Employee Relations who will fully investigate and conduct a formal disciplinary hearing, where applicable. Reports of sexual harassment typically follow one of two streams, those being the path of informal mediation or a formal disciplinary process. For the purposes of this reply, allegations of sexual harassment which have been addressed through both paths have been included.
Between 2019 and the present, a total of 101 allegations of sexual harassment have been reported across Western Cape Government (WCG) departments.
The table below provides a summary of reported allegations per department for the period under review.
Department | Number of allegations of sexual harassment, 2019 to Date |
WCDOA | 1 |
DHS | 1 |
POCS | 1 |
DTPW | 3 |
DCAS | 4 |
DSD | 5 |
DOTP | 6 |
WCHW | 73 |
WCED | 7 |
Grand Total | 101 |
It is noteworthy that no allegations of sexual harassment were reported during the period under review within the following departments:
- Provincial Treasury
- Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
- Department of Economic Development and Tourism
- Department of Local Government
Furthermore, since their establishment on 1 April 2023, there have been no reported allegations of this nature in the Departments of Mobility and Infrastructure.
While the full details of each case cannot be made public due to the provisions of POPIA and the need to protect survivors, we are able to offer a summation of consequences and outcomes to these investigations.
Of the 101 reported allegations of sexual harassment, 7 were still under investigation at the time of this reply. In a further 8 cases, employees resigned or retired.
Of the 86 cases which had been finalised, 20 (23%) were either withdrawn, the accused was found not guilty, insufficient evidence or grounds were found to bring charges against a respondent, or the matter was otherwise considered finalised.
Of those which were investigated and resulted in consequences, 9 (13%) resulted in remedial consequences such as counselling or a written warning. 57 (86%) resulted in serious consequences including but not limited to: dismissal, suspension without pay, final written warning, or some combination thereof.
