11 sexual harassment cases in Gauteng hospitals

25 March 2021  

11 sexual harassment cases were reported in Gauteng public health facilities, but only four criminal charges were laid against the perpetrators.

This was revealed by Gauteng Health MEC NomathembaMokgethi in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

There were two sexual harassment allegations at the Helen Joseph Hospital, two at the Pretoria West Hospital, and one incident at each of the following health facilities:

Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital (CMJH) 

Kopanong Hospital

Mamelodi Hospital

Soshanguve Clinic

Stanza Bopape Clinic

Itereleng Clinic

Johannesburg District

Disciplinary action was instituted in each of the cases, with a dismissal in the case of the incident at CMJH and a final written warning in a case at the Pretoria West Hospital. In the other cases, one was dropped as the employee resigned, one case was closed as no evidence was presented, one case was withdrawn, and six cases are still in progress.

According to Mokgethi, only four criminal charges were laid in connection with these incidents as the individuals decided not to proceed with criminal cases “due to private reasons.”

The department has a 2016 Sexual Harassment Policy in place, and 24 hour psychosocial support is available for staff.

It is important that there are consequences for sexual harassment in the workplace, otherwise there will be under-reporting and abuses will continue.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, 25 March 2021