Sex-pest suspended from job

2009-01-07 18:11

Johannesburg - Social grants officer Terry Oliphant was suspended from his job on Wednesday and appeared in the Beaufort West Magistrate's Court on a charge of statutory rape, officials said.

"He has been charged with statutory rape but he hasn't pleaded yet. That will happen at the start of his trial," said police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie.

Oliphant's court appearance came less than a day after the SABC's current affairs show, Special Assignment, broadcast a show on Tuesday evening of his alleged sexual assault of young girls in Beaufort West.

The programme showed how Oliphant, a member of the Congress of the People, made videos of himself having sex with under-aged girls, including a 15-year-old.

Remained in job

Special Assignment reported that he remained in his job at the SA Social Security Agency despite the charge against him.

But Social Services Minister Zola Skweyiya issued a statement on Wednesday morning, saying Oliphant had been suspended and that disciplinary action would be instituted against him.

Skweyiya described his alleged behaviour as "outrageous, despicable and totally unacceptable".

"The very essence of SASSA and the department of social development is to protect and assist the most vulnerable members of our society. We cannot have our own staff members violating children," said Skweyiya.

"While everyone has a right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, we view the allegations in a very serious light, hence the suspension and disciplinary hearing."

Cope membership suspended

Meanwhile, Cope spokesperson Palesa Morudu said Oliphant had also been suspended from the party.

"Cope views [his] alleged conduct as depicted in the report as abhorrent... and a crude abuse of power," Morudu said in a statement.

"Cope will immediately suspend [his] membership to the party and also institute a disciplinary process."

Morudu added that Oliphant was just an ordinary member of Cope and that the alleged offences were committed three years ago when he was still a member of the ruling African National Congress.

Oliphant's case was postponed to March 2.

- SAPA