Mabe’s accuser: It’s not over, I still feel unsafe

Kgoerano Kekana, 26, who accused ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe of sexual assault, has gone public to express her dissatisfaction after the ANC ruled there was no evidence to prove Mabe had harassed her.

Kekana has told the media that she no longer felt safe around the spokesperson following the ANC ruling that she and Mabe would both return to work this week, with an option of transferring her to a different department.

An overwhelmed Kekana told EWN that she was disappointed by the ruling party’s findings which left her feeling unsafe and uncomfortable around Mabe.

She had accused Mabe of sexually harassing her on three separate occasions when she was his personal assistant and says she doesn’t regret reporting him, even though the party cleared him of any wrongdoing.

She has now opted to be vocal about the complaint to the media and even issued a statement on Thursday affirming that she was sexually harassed. She is saddened that she has to publicly speak out against the party’s decision as there was no distinct manner to prove harassment.

An ANC grievance panel, chaired by Sdumo Dlamini, Thoko Didiza, and two other representatives from the ANC’s headquarters, was appointed to probe the allegations against Mabe but apparently found no evidence of harassment and so ordered Mabe and Kekana to return to work.

In her statement, Kekana made it clear that she and her legal counsel were exploring other avenues such as the Commission of Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration.

She accused the panel of demonstrating “toxic masculinity, misogyny, and patriarchy”, finding it insulting that Mabe theorised her complaint was politically motivated.

“Not only is this an affront towards women, it gives further courage to abusive men to bully female subordinates.”

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