'I've got the hots for you'
2007-07-09 23:46
Cape Town - The long knives are out in the Independent Democrat party where a charge of sexual harassment has been filed against Avril Harding, who was their secretary-general until this past weekend, and was seen until recently as Patricia de Lille's right hand.
Last week, Harding was apparently the second most-powerful figure in the party.
Now there's a sword dangling above him after an allegation that while they were at a hotel in Klerksdorp he molested Agnes Tsamai, the ID's leader in North West with the words: "I've got the hots for you."
Harding appeared before a disciplinary hearing at the ID office in Cape Town on Monday.
Mervyn Cirota, chairperson of the party's disciplinary committee, said Harding was accompanied by his lawyer and they asked for a postponement so that they could be better prepared.
The case was postponed until July 25.
Claims Harding approached her
Cirota confirmed that Tsamai, who had laid the charge about a month ago, had been available to testify against Harding. Since the hearing had been postponed, this had not been necessary.
Tsamai has claimed that on June 2 in Klerksdorp, Harding approached her with a view to sexual intimacy.
She claimed also that Harding phoned her with the request to have sex with him in his hotel room, and that he told her: "I've got the hots for you."
The charge sheet said that by this action, he had violated her fundamental human rights, and brought the integrity of the ID into question.
Seriousness will determine punishment
The charge sheet said that, in the circumstances, his position as an MP and (former) secretary-general of the ID mitigated against him.
Harding was not taking any telephone calls on Monday.
Cirota said if Harding was found guilty, the seriousness of his offence would determine the nature of the punishment.
This could take the form of a fine, temporary suspension or permanent expulsion.