The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union led a march in Kimberley to protest against sexual harassment in the workplace. The marchers demanded immediate action, including the suspension of senior managers accused of gender-based violence in Northern Cape government departments.
THE POLICE and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) marched against sexual harassment in the workplace on November 29, where calls were made to take immediate action and suspend senior managers implicated in allegations of gender-based violence at government departments in the Northern Cape.
Memorandums were handed over to the Department of Correctional Services, the SAPS and the Traffic Department with an urgent call to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment and to establish an independent and confidential reporting mechanism.
Popcru demanded that all allegations be investigated promptly and fairly and that disciplinary steps be taken against offenders, with clear consequences for those found guilty.
The union called for the provision of counselling, legal assistance, protection from victimisation and other support services for victims of sexual harassment.
It pointed out that gender-based violence had become a pervasive issue in the city and province.
“Sexual harassment not only threatens the dignity, safety, and psychological well-being of employees but also creates a hostile work environment that erodes morale, productivity and overall trust,” the memorandum stated.
