Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – The much-awaited disciplinary hearing of a shop steward and a leader of DENOSA at Bongani Regional Hospital has come to an end.
This follows our article in which we reported how a leader with ties to the MEC of Health, MaThabo Leeto was protected and the employer (Dr. Noge) who initiated the charges against him found herself on the receiving end after she was served with notice of suspension for charges that were dropped in 2018.
With the department refusing to comment on its stance against sexual harassment at the workplace Step Up has learned the disciplinary hearing took place and the sanction is out.
According to the three-page report in possession of this publication, the sanction is for Mr. Sehole to be dismissed from public service.
“The sanction that will be a sufficient deterrent to others, and in keeping with circumstances of his misconduct, is that of his dismissal from the public service.
This sanction is consistent with clause 7(vii) of the PSBC resolution 1 of 2003.”
Leading this sanction the presiding officer, PP Radebe said:
“I am of the view that Sehole has not shown even one iota of remorse. He has attempted to delay the commencement of his hearing by coming up with delaying tactics. He even refused to submit mitigating factors. Refusing to mitigate on his own is not misconduct, but it leads to an ineluctable conclusion that he lacks respect for the employer’s disciplinary processes.
He forced a postponement by requesting information which he later, through Motshabi, said he never actually needed. This is the clearest indication that from the onset he intended to frustrate the disciplinary process.”
Three sources at the hospital said the department, led by women is doing little to nothing to fight gender-based violence in health facilities.
NEHAWU member who spoke on condition of anonymity reiterated what was said during the hearing.
“Sehole’s proximity to the MEC was always going to compromise him and at least one of the victims had to be admitted to hospital and all his victims were still receiving counselling.”
Should Sehole appeal, the appeal authority is non-other than Leeto who was copied in one of the correspondence from Sehole which he was raising his concerns over the very same charges.
Free State Health has not said anything since it was made aware of the sexual harassment matters in one of its facilities and they have decided not to respond to our inquiries.
We will not stop reporting about the Health department or any other person in the public service.
Sehole could not be reached at the time of publishing, he and all the victims known to this publication and will be tracked down in the coming weeks.
If you have news or tips please email us at news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp 0685000246
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