We Are Sexually Harassed — Voc Staff, Times of Swaziland, December 29, 2010

We Are Sexually Harassed — Voc Staff

Times of Swaziland
December 29, 2010

http://www.times.co.sz/News/24293.html

MBABANE – There are calls for a probe into the operations of the Voice of the Church (VOC) after about five female staffers have claimed to have been sexually harassed at work.

It is alleged that these women are being sexually harassed by one staff member and despite that the issue has been going on for months now, no action has been taken.

According to information gathered by this newspaper from sources within the popular Christian radio channel, four of the women are aged above 30 years while one is in her 20s.

Some of them contacted by this newspaper said they preferred the matter to be handled by the abuse organisation they had contacted and would not comment in fear of victimisation at work.

The harassment is reported to take place both at work and at the women's houses where the suspect would approach each one of them separately allegedly carrying a pack of condoms and ask for sex.

"He tells us he wants to sleep with us. He also sends us SMS' saying he loves us. He even told one of us he had dreamt about her," one of the harassed women disclosed.

She further alleged: "He brings condoms to you in the office and shows them to you then starts fondling and kissing you. This shocked me."

After work, he reportedly visits the (four) single women in their rented flats where he is said to continue with his sexual demands.

"Some have had to change their areas of residence because of his visits," the woman said. However, the man does not make any promises to the women in exchange for the sexual favours.

Other sources have revealed that a memorandum, signed by 13 employees, has already been sent to the station's Board of Directors, alerting them about he staffers alleged harassment.

However, the sources said 30 days have elapsed since the memo was sent but no action has been taken against the man.

"There is a Policy and Statement of Faith which everyone has to sign which states that sexual harassment is a dismissible offence. But since the Board has not taken any action, we don't know where to take our problems. It's so sad," the sources said.

Furthermore, the sources said the matter is said to have been reported to the Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse and the Women and Law in Southern Africa.

They allege the harassment came to the fore after one of the women, who was experiencing the man's advances for the first time, reported to other employees what had happened to her.

"After she had reported the harassment, the other women also came up to report cases of sexual abuse by the manager," the sources said.

Efforts to get comment from the VOC Board and the station's director, Pastor Richard Dlamini, proved futile as those contacted either said they did not know the matter or did not pick up their phones.

The station's Programme Manager, Abel Vilakati refused to comment save the say the matter was with the director's office.

"The matter is being handled by the director, so I can't comment," is all Vilakati could say.

The station's director, Pastor Richard Dlamini's phone, was not available on the MTN mode when called until after 8pm yesterday.

Board member, Sylvia Mthethwa, whom sources said was aware of the matter, denied knowledge of it and referred further enquiries to the Chairman, Luke Mnisi, whose phone was first answered by a male voice who said he was not him.

Later, a female voice answered and said Mnisi had left his phone at home to go for a sauna.

A short message sent to him requesting his comment had also not been responded to after 9pm last night.

...Conference of Churches not aware

MBABANE – The Swaziland Conference of Churches said they can only look at the matter once it has been brought before them.

Titus Nzima, who is a member of the organisation's Board, said for now they had not heard of the allegations.

"We can only look at it as a Board of the Swaziland Conference of Churches if it is brought to us. Maybe the VOC Board is still handling it, but if it comes to us then we will make an informed decision," Nzima briefly said.