WATCH: Mall workers demand justice for abuse victims
The centre managers have been given seven days to respond to the memorandum.
IRATE employees, from a Durban-based mall, gathered to protest against gender-based violence after three of their colleagues were allegedly sexually assaulted by their employers.
The march, organised by the office of the KZN Premier in collaboration with the Phepha Foundation, started at Durban City Hall this morning (26 April).
The march then proceeded to the Point Road Police Station in Durban and back to the victims’ place of employment where protesters handed over the memorandum of understanding.
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KZN Premier spokesperson, Lennox Mabaso said the march was triggered by eight cases which were reported to the KZN Provincial Gender-Based Committee.
According to Mabaso, three women, who were employed as cleaners at the shopping centre, were allegedly sexually assaulted at work by their manager and supervisor.
“The three GBV victims received psycho-social support from the Department of Social Development through Lifeline Durban. Victims cases were opened and are under investigation. An interview date has been secured for 26 May 2021 in the Durban Magistrate’s court,” added Mabaso.
On 24 March 2021, pictures of resignation letters, from both the manager and the supervisor, were shared in the WhatsApp group created by the victims to discuss their case.
This information was validated by the Phepha Foundation.
“The purpose of the gender-based violence march, which takes place the day before Freedom Day, is to raise awareness about gender-based violence in the workplace; and to ask the Point Road police station to commit to supporting victims of GBV in a fair and just manner,” said Mabaso.
One of the victims, who resides in KwaMashu, said, she supported the march because her manager and supervisor forced her to engage in sexual activities with them.
“If we did not want to have sex with them, they would make work life a living hell for you to end up leaving the job. If you agreed to what they want, you would eventually get a good position,” said the victim. She added that she had been working at the mall for a year now. She further stated she had lost weight after turning to drugs to deal with her stress.
The centre managers have been given seven days to respond to the memorandum.
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