Bongani Ndlovu
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Check Point
THE Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development has instituted investigations following allegations of sexual harassment raised by a junior employee against her supervisor in Bubi District, Matabeleland North Province.
The allegations, which span over a one-year period, were contained in a series of letters written by the employee (name supplied but withheld), who works as a Community Development Coordinator in the Ministry. She alleged that she had been subjected to sexual harassment, threats and verbal abuse by her supervisor.
The complainant first lodged a formal grievance on May 16, 2024, addressed to Community Development Officers in the Ministry, but she did not receive feedback, prompting her to write a follow-up letter on November 24, 2024, seeking an update on the status of her case.
The letter was addressed to the Public Service Commission (PSC) in Bubi District.
“In May 2024 I wrote a letter and also reported physically that I have been harassed and abused (naming the accused) since I started work in 2021.
“I followed all the channels that I knew I should take in reporting. I would like to check what the status is with my case because I have seen that ever since then, there has been no response to my letters and it has been six months and nothing has been done or said about the issue. I hope my letter will get a response,” reads the letter, which the Check Point desk is in possession of.
After allegedly receiving no response from the district PSC, the employee wrote another follow-up letter on June 12, 2025, addressed to the provincial PSC head, Mr Isaac Ndebele, and the Ministry’s head office. The two letters carried the same content.
“I am writing to follow up on my letter dated 21 May 2024 in which I reported sexual harassment incidents perpetrated by my supervisor.
“I realise that it has been over a year since I made this report and I have not yet heard any feedback or response regarding my report and hence I am making a follow-up. Your failure to act on my report has disempowered me and I am contemplating committing suicide. This has forced me to copy the Chairman of the Public Service Commission and the Gender Commission. I wonder if I should conclude that the workplace is no longer safe for women,” wrote the complainant.
Contacted for comment, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Dr Marvis Sibanda, confirmed receiving the complaint and said investigations had been instituted.
Online Reporter