THE disciplinary hearing of two of four officials who were initially suspended in the wake of the Albert Fritz sex scandal, has begun.
Weekend Argus has learnt that two of the officials were formally charged after the two month long investigation into the sexual allegations stemming from Fritz’s reign as Western Cape MEC for Community Safety.
It is alleged that Fritz created an environment that was conducive to sexual harassment and taking advantage of young women sexually.
Fritz was fired as MEC shortly after an internal report had been prepared on the allegations of sexual misconduct and alcohol abuse.
Acting Community Safety MEC Anroux Marais confirmed the formal charges against two of the suspended officials. The other two employees remained suspended pending further investigation.
Details of the allegations are still unknown. However, Marais confirmed that the allegations related to alleged sexual misconduct and other improper conduct.
One of the suspended officials who spoke to Weekend Argus on the basis of anonymity said like everyone else he was in the dark about the details surrounding the allegations.
The employee, whose contract is set to end at the end of April, said he had for this reason decided to just ride it out until more information came to light.
“At first we heard that we facilitated a sex ring and groomed the victims by getting them alcohol, and afterwards we heard that it has something to do with financial misconduct.”
The employee said he was still unaware of what the financial misconduct allegations entailed.
“What I don’t understand is how we had financial powers to perform any misconduct. For instance, when you are out in the field you are given a budget, but this budget has to be signed off. We don’t have the authority to do so.”
A source close to the matter said a lot of the alleged misconduct referred to the facilitating of sexual favours, due to the abuse of government finance.
The source said the investigation all came down to the HR policies in the government.
“Essentially, those with higher ranks had to pick up on odd behaviours, and the investigation is about how the misuse of money was not picked up,” the source said.
“It is alleged that these officials would often, when they were out in the field, order things and cover it up by not including alcohol in the expenditure.
“Government officials are not allowed to buy alcohol from provincial budgets and that is what they are looking into.”
Weekend Argus reached out to the Western Cape government regarding these allegations.
However, Stacy McLean, a spokesperson for Community Safety, said that they could not provide details while the disciplinary hearing was continuing.
“The hearing has commenced and is ongoing. The Premier always strives to deal with disciplinary matters in an expeditious manner as required by the Labour Relations Act, with due regard to the rights of the officials charged. ”While the investigation is ongoing, McLean confirmed that the bargaining council has not been approached since the matter was currently internal. ”
The source said the investigation all came down to the internal HR policies in the government.
“Essentially, those with higher ranks had to pick up on odd behaviours, and the investigation is about how the misuse of money was not (being) picked up.
“It is alleged that these officials would often, when they were out in the field, order things, and cover it up by not including alcohol in the expenditure. Government officials are not allowed to buy alcohol from provincial budgets and that is what they are looking into,” the source said.
Weekend Argus approached the Western Cape government regarding these allegations, however, Stacy McLean, a spokesperson for the department of Community Safety, explained that government could not at this stage provide details as to the charges, while the disciplinary hearing was ongoing.
McLean also said that the government could not provide details of the allegations that were tested.
“The hearing has commenced and is ongoing. The Department of the Premier always strives to deal with disciplinary matters in an expeditious manner as required by the Labour Relations Act, with due regard to the rights of the officials charged,” she said.
While the investigation is ongoing, McLean confirmed that the bargaining council has not been approached since the matter was currently internal.