A senior municipal manager who faces charges of misconduct for allegedly intimidating a junior employee faces possible suspension.
A senior municipal manager who faces charges of misconduct for allegedly intimidating a junior employee faces possible suspension.
Corporate and Shared Services Director Mzukisi Madlavu was given until 30 June to submit representation as to why he should not be suspended for his actions towards the employee, who cannot be named due to the nature of the case.
It is alleged that Madlavu's made advances, that the employee ignored them, and that Madlavu responded inappropriately to this.
On 12 January a formal grievance was lodged against Madlavu, by a young woman employed on contract as an intern.
The complaint was submitted as a confidential item by then acting municipal manager Busi Khumalo to the special council meeting on Thursday 29 January.
Madlavu allegedly sent an SMS to the intern, who asserted that it constituted an abuse of power.
Madlavu confirmed to Grocott's Mail that a complaint had been lodged against him.
At the council meeting on 11 June it was resolved that disciplinary proceedings be instituted against Madlavu for misconduct of a serious nature. In a kletter, he was afforded seven days to submit to Council as to why he should not be suspended.
Acting municipal manager Riana Meiring, in her letter to Madlavu dated 17 June, indicates she has been mandated by Council to advise him there is reasonable cause to believe he committed sexual harassment in the form of victimisation.
The letter further states that Madlavu's alleged past conduct towards the employee indicated there was potential for further acts of victimisation.
In his response through his lawyers TD Potgieter Attorneys on 22 June, Madlavu said he wished to give his full cooperation; however, he could not make any representations because the allegations against him were vague.
Madlavu said he needed detailed information about when and where the alleged sexual assault was committed, and what the nature of the alleged sexual advances was.
In response to Madlavu's lawyers Council's lawyers sent another letter, dated 25 June, detailing a number of charges.
They claim the alleged harassment took place between 1 September and 31 December 2014. Council's lawyers said the harassment took the form of an SMS sent to the intern on December 27 last year.
Madlavu, according to the document:
* Repeatedly attempted to call the intern after hours
* Suggested to her that they should eat out together
* Indicated that he was disappointed with her due to her failure to contact him when she knew he was ill.
The Council extended the deadline to 30 June for Madlavu to submit representation.
Speaking to Grocott's Mail earlier this month, Madlavu said he would not comment on the matter. He said these were mere allegations and his lawyers were handling the matter.
anele@grocotts.co.za
