Labour Court criticises lenient punishment for sexual harassment in Bergrivier Municipality

A 10-DAY unpaid suspension and a final written warning for an employee of the Bergrivier Local Municipality in Piketberg, Western Cape, following the sexual harassment of a female colleague, did not go down well with the Western Cape Labour Court, which called it totally unacceptable.

- ZELDA VENTER

The municipality turned to the labour court to review and overturn the slap on the wrist given to the employer - a Mr S. According to the municipality he deserved being fired - a sentiment shared by the labour court.

Following a disciplinary hearing convened in terms of the South African Local Government Bargaining Council's Disciplinary Procedure Collective Agreement (the DPCA), Mr S was found guilty of serious allegations of sexual harassment of a fellow employee.

However, the chairperson who oversaw the proceedings under the DPCA, decided a suitable sanction is a 10-day suspension. The decision was binding on the municipality, but open to be challenged in the labour court.