UPDATE: EMPD chief in court over harassment allegations
GBV Brigades and others demonstrated outside the court to show their support to the victim.
The Boksburg Advertiser’s sister publication, Brakpan Herald, reported that a crowd gathered outside the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning in support of the victim of a sexual harassment complaint against EMPD chief of police, Isaac Mapiyeye.
Brakpan police were present to monitor the group. With posters and banners condemning GBV, the protesters sang and danced along Kitzinger Avenue across from the court.
“No violent actions were experienced nor reported, and the crowd dispersed peacefully after the court adjourned,” said Brakpan SAPS Sector 1 manager and corporate communications officer Constable Audrey Buthelezi.
A court official told the Brakpan Herald Mapiyeye appeared in the Family Court in connection with the harassment allegation. The official added that no criminal charges have been laid. The case was postponed to September 20.
The Herald’s sister publication, the Boksburg Advertiser, recently reported about the complaint lodged against Mapiyeye by an EMPD officer.
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In her complaint, the woman alleges the ordeal resulted in her being in and out of counselling, hospitalisation, and currently being treated for anxiety and a major depressive disorder.
The Advertiser has seen the documents from the victim, where she reported the sexual harassment and intimidation and narrated the events to the city manager’s office.
Following the city manager’s office handing over a report on the matter to the council, the speaker of the council tabled the matter. The report recommends suspending Mapiyeye and that an independent investigation start.
Initially, the item was expected to be debated in a closed meeting during the August ordinary council meeting.
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However, the speaker subsequently called an extraordinary council meeting, where the council reconvened to discuss what steps to take.
However, after some debate about the recommendations and procedure on how this item found itself in the council, it was provisionally withdrawn and is expected to resurface within seven days in the council.
During the extraordinary meeting, Ekurhuleni Mayor Doctor Xhakaza reportedly asked for more time to review the report.
Metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the city has no room for any form of GBV, and it takes the allegations seriously.
“We have followed all necessary due processes. However, we can’t comment further on this matter because it is now with council where it is being deliberated on in a closed meeting.”
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