One of the biggest news channels in SA, eNCA, has been hit by a sexual harassment scandal. It is alleged that one of the heads of department at the channel is being accused of sexual harassment by an employee, who has since lost her job after allegedly reporting the matter.
IT HAPPENED DURING A STAFF PARTY
The employee, known to ZiMoja, filed a complaint against the senior member of staff and claimed that he made inappropriate advances and comments to her. According to a police statement, seen by ZiMoja, on Monday 03 October 2022, she was at a staff party queuing for food when the HOD grabbed her around her waist. She looked at him and asked him to remove his hand, he blushed and squeezed her bottoms. "She told him she did not like what he was doing. After some time, he started pursuing her for a romantic relationship which she dismissed and reported the matter to the company's human resources department but she was dismissed at work," her statement to the police said. This has led to speculation that she could have been dismissed for speaking out against the HOD.
LOST HER JOB WITHOUT COMPENSATION
A source at the channel told ZiMoja that the "victim was dismissed on a charge of moonlighting but that there was no evidence. She took to the company to CCMA and an arbitration award was granted in her favour of approximately R100 000. The channel is fighting it in court,and they have not paid her settlement. It has been so bad for her," the source said, adding that the matter is still under investigation and that the victim is taking it to court as she has lost more income and she hasn't had a job since then.
ENCA'S SIDE OF THE STORY
In a comment to ZiMoja, Group Head of Human Resources at eMedia Holdings, Lee-Anndree John, said as a responsible employer that adopts a zero - tolerance towards all forms of harassment, including sexual harassment, they take all allegations of sexual harassment seriously. According to John, the victim only raised the matter at CCMA during a separate process. "Her employment with us was not terminated due to the alleged sexual harassment complaint. Once the issue was raised and notwithstanding that the victim was no longer employed with us, we investigated the matter internally and in accordance with our policies and procedures, other than that, we have no further comment on the matter," John added. Called for a comment, the victim said she does not wish to discuss the matter with the media as it is still under investigation with the police.
