Question NW1927 to the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
29 June 2018 - NW1927
Paulsen, Mr N M to ask the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
(1) What (a) is the total number of incidents of sexual harassment that were reported to the human resources offices of entities reporting to him in (i) 2016 and (ii) 2017 and (b) are the details of each incident that took place; (2) was each incident investigated; if not, why not in each case; if so, what were the outcomes of the investigation in each case?
Reply:
(1) a) There were no cases of sexual harassment reported in the past three years. However, there is one case of assault which has been reported and is still pending.
(ii) There were no cases of sexual harassment opened since 2017
(b) (i) There were no cases opened and concluded
(ii) There were no cases that were withdrawn
(iii) There are no cases which remains open
(c) There were no sanctions issued
(b) The Department does have a Sexual Harassment Policy. Cases of assault are dealt with in terms of the PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2003 (Disciplinary Code and Procedures). Allegations of sexual harassment are reported through the Sexual Harassment Adviser who with consent of the victim assists in bringing allegations to finality. The perpetrators of sexual harassment are subjected to formal disciplinary proceedings should grounds for misconduct be established after an investigation. An appropriate sanction for such an offence is dismissal as contained in paragraph 4 of PSCBC Resolution 1 of 2003.
2) Not applicable.