Govt adviser denies office sex

2003-05-08 09:30

Bisho - Eastern Cape legislature legal adviser Herlu Smith on Wednesday denied in Bisho High Court that he forced anyone to have sex with him in his office.

Smith was testifying in a trial in which Kerr Hoho, 41, has denied 46 charges - 23 of crimen injuria and 23 of defamation.

The trial has become known as the "Father Punch" trial.

"Father Punch" is the anonymous author of a satirical newsletter that circulated in Bisho government circles, making allegations of murder, rape and corruption.

"I never forced anybody into having sex in the office," said Smith.

State advocate Malcolm Zola Sotenjwa asked Smith to read part of the newsletter, which stated "when Herlu Smith was spotted having sex with the then-assistant of the secretary to the legislature".

Smith said that after reading the newsletter he felt dirty and degraded because it was read by many people.

He described his work place as a sensitive political environment where abuse of women was taken seriously.

When his female colleagues kept their distance, he got the feeling they did not want to be alone with him in the office.

Professional ethics 'above board'

Smith said "Father Punch" attacked administrative and political leaders, fuelled either by hatred or jealousy.

At the time the newsletter was published, there were three assistants in that position, so he had no idea of whom he was supposed to have had sex with.

His professional ethics had always been above board.

Then, "Father Punch" came along and destroyed something for which he had worked hard.

The newsletter also suggested that Smith benefitted by R45 000 from a car-finance scheme. Smith denied this, saying he had no control in the salary department.

Committees chairperson, African National Congress MPL Sipiwo Sam Mazosiwe, said he found the newsletter on his desk and, at times, under his office door.

He told Judge Colin White the newsletter suggested he had done things for sexual favours.

This placed his marriage in jeopardy as it was difficult for him to explain the situation to his wife.

He described the experience as traumatising.

Didn't know what to expect

The newsletter stated that Mazosiwe was directly liaising with committee former director Laura Best.

Mazosiwe said there was no sexual relationship between him and Best.

"I was embarrassed, frustrated and angry - I sometimes didn't know how to counter the allegations. I used to sit in my office not knowing what to do or what to expect, he said.

MPLs Sibongile May-Jongile and Noxolo Kiviet also gave evidence.

The prosecution is expected to call Premier Makhenkesi Stofile, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula and deputy home affairs minister Nosiviwe Nqakula, among others, to give evidence.

The trial will continue on June 2.

- SAPA