Department of Water and Sanitation faces criticism over sexual harassment policies

THE Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) appeared before Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) yesterday to provide a clear account of progress made on its previous commitments to advancing gender equality and transformation in the workplace - specifically, focusing on addressing concerns surrounding sexual harassment.

- THEOLIN TEMBO

In October 2024, the commission initiated an own accord investigation in respect of policy failures and structural gaps in managing sexual harassment within DWS in the Western Cape.

The focus of the investigation was on the broader issues relating to the DWS failure to create a safe and harassment-free workplace, as mandated by the Code of Good Practice and the Commission's previous recommendations following its Transformation Hearing in 2021/22 and then followups made in 2023.

The accountability session dealt with the DWS's over-reliance on an outdated sexual harassment policy, as well as two cases of sexual harassment the DWS has dealt with over the past 24 months.

In the Western Cape, an intern in the provincial office lodged a complaint with her managers regarding allegations of sexual harassment involving a senior manager in the office.

On September 28, 2023, the investigating officer (IO) in the matter submitted a report with a recommendation that the matter be brought before a disciplinary hearing to decide on the allegations against the alleged perpetrator.