Following the incident at Topbet Germiston recently where women employees were allegedly strip-searched after a small amount of menstrual blood was found in the branch’s bathroom, the company launched an internal investigation into the matter.
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The matter was investigated by an independent advocate and has now been concluded.
Tshepo Sefotlhelo, from Vuma Reputation Management, told the GCN that the investigation confirmed that there had been a discrepancy in the recounting of the details concerning the incident, and how the search had been carried out on a larger number of female employees, and on a second smaller group of female employees.
This resulted in serious consequences for those concerned and the company felt that to ignore this discrepancy would have been irresponsible due to the seriousness of the matter.
“The purpose of the investigation was not to prove whether or not the incident took place, for which the company has apologised, as the incident took place without its knowledge.
“It was rather to ascertain exactly how the search of female employees was carried out in order that we may take the necessary action in respect of employees involved in the search and to implement steps to prevent an incident of this nature occurring again,” said Sefotlhelo.
“Quite apart from this, and because the female employees are colleagues and work closely together, it was important that the issues be clarified and that an objective conclusion be reached for the sake of closure.”
Sefotlhelo added that the incident at the Germiston branch should never have happened and it goes against everything the company stands for.
“By the same token, given the prevalence of gender-based violence that we have in South Africa, it is most unfortunate that some have seen this incident as an opportunity for self-gain,” Sefotlhelo said.
“Much as we have taken action against the manager who committed this act, action must be taken against employees who breach our code of conduct and procedures in accordance with the findings and recommendations in the advocate’s report.
“The company cannot divulge further details in this regard at this stage given that the matter is an internal employment-related matter.”
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Since the incident the following steps have been taken:
• Counselling for all employees at the branch.
• Managers will be trained on how to better manage any future incidents with the necessary EQ and tact required.
• Employees will undergo further health and safety training.
• Employees will undergo culture diversity training which will include gender equality and sexual harassment training.
• A meeting was held with the EFF after the incident broke, during which we engaged on a number of issues. Most resolutions agreed upon have been implemented, including the donation of a 100 boxes of sanitary pads to schools in Germiston.
• The company has met with the Gender Equality Commission over the incident.
Sefotlhelo added that since news of the incident broke, all Topbet staff have been negatively affected, particularly the women who were involved in the incident and who acted on the instructions of their manager.
“One such employee and her family have been victimised and intimated by members of the public to the extent that she recently had to fetch her 11-year-old child from school, as he was being victimised by other learners,” Sefotlhelo said.
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