'Ambassador must go'
2003-07-31 12:59
Cape Town - Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was slated on Thursday for failing to resolve sexual harassment charges brought against South Africa's ambassador to Indonesia.
United Democratic Movement foreign affairs spokesperson George Madikiza said ambassador Norman Mashabane should be suspended immediately, pending a full investigation into the charges.
A new sex complaint was lodged against Mashabane on Wednesday.
The foreign affairs ministry has confirmed Mashabane is still at his post more than a year after being found guilty, by an internal disciplinary hearing, on 21 workplace sexual harassment charges.
The hearing recommended in December 2001 that he be sacked, but Mashabane appealed and was allowed to continue in his post pending the outcome.
"The minister of foreign affairs must act as a matter of urgency to avoid further damage to the country's image abroad," Madikiza said.
It was disturbing that Mashabane continued in his post while another complaint was lodged against him.
He said it was evident the minister was not serious about the matter.
"The response from her department that her schedule is too busy to attend to the matter is completely unacceptable."
Dlamini-Zuma has been considering the appeal since last year.
General secretary of the Public Servants' Association, Anton Louwrens, said the latest complaint was by a female employee at the embassy in Jakarta.
It was brought to the union's attention by the woman, a union member, about a month ago.
- SAPA