Harassment of female municipal employees

In a statement released today, the Mayor of the Ethekwini Municipality, Cllr James Nxumalo, said:

We have noted with concern media reports about the alleged deplorable harassment of female employees by their male colleagues in our Municipality, specifically in the Metro Police Unit. As we celebrate 20 years of freedom, we denounce all violation of human rights.

As Mayor of eThekwini, I have asked the City Manager, Mr Sibusiso Sithole to leave no stone unturned as he urgently investigates this issue, bringing all perpetrators to book. Anyone found guilty of the alleged offences, does not belong in our Municipality.

We had requested the City Manager to finalise interventions to improve operations at Metro Police, to whose members these disturbing allegations are mostly directed. Recently, some Metro Police Captains attended a training session provided by the US Embassy and facilitated by retired New York Police Department (NYPD) Commander, Mr Willie Pannell, who provided insights into ensuring an effective Metro Police Unit. This is an ongoing programme and I hope it will make a good contribution to our Unit.

The Municipality is working very hard to become Africa’s most caring and liveable City and will not be deterred by abhorrent shenanigans of some individuals, even if they are from within our ranks.

As the leadership of eThekwini, we condemn all forms of human rights abuses, in the Municipality and the community at large. The Bill of Rights protects all South Africans and guarantees us equality, human dignity and freedom and security of the person. Young women working for the Municipality must never be subjected to any form of violation. As the Municipality, we strive for an environment where women are empowered to succeed in their different careers and social activities.

As the Executive Committee, we would also like to highlight the role of society in helping us mould behaviour in order to deal with all kinds of moral challenges facing us in today’s society. Let us all work together to build a City where citizens live in harmony.