\u201cThree clerks at the gambling franchise Topbet\u2019s Germiston branch have described how more than 20 women were forced to undress and were then physically inspected on the premises in January,\u201d said Capt Andr\u00e9 de Jager, spokesperson for the SAPS Ekurhuleni West Cluster.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe incident was apparently sparked by the discovery of a small amount of menstrual blood in a staff toilet.<\/p>
\u201cA case was opened with the Germiston Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit and two suspects, a man and a woman, were arrested.\u201d<\/p>\n
They appeared in the Germiston Magistrate\u2019s Court on charges of sexual assault and the case was postponed until March 29.<\/p>\n
The two suspects were granted bail.<\/p>\n The GCN contacted Topbet SA for comment and the company responded as follows:<\/p>\n \u201cWe issue this statement in response to the degrading and inhumane way in which staff members at our Germiston branch were treated.<\/p>\n At the outset, we record that as a women-run and owned business, we consider women\u2019s rights and our employee\u2019s constitutional rights to privacy, dignity, freedom and security and bodily and psychological integrity of paramount importance.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of our core values is to create a safe and happy working environment for all of our staff, most of whom are women.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were devastated to learn of the incident that occurred at our Germiston branch and wish to address some of the allegations:<\/p>\n \u2022 It came to our attention last month that a \u2018search\u2019 had been conducted on our female staff at our Germiston branch (\u2018the incident\u2019).<\/p>\n \u2022 Investigations revealed that this inhumane and degrading incident was conducted by our female on-site cleaners acting on the instruction of one of our female branch managers, without the knowledge or authorisation of Topbet management.<\/p>\n \u2022 The investigation revealed that the \u2018search\u2019 was not conducted on pregnant and older employees.<\/p>\n \u2022 All employees interviewed confirmed that they were not physically touched during the incident although, rightfully, most felt very uncomfortable during this humiliating process.<\/p>\n \u2022 The incident was only brought to our attention two days later by a senior employee, upon which we immediately contacted our labour lawyers to conduct an urgent investigation into the matter.<\/p>\n \u2022 Investigations were conducted with all staff concerned on a one-on-one basis to allow our staff the freedom to address their concerns without fear of repercussion or intimidation from other staff members.<\/p>\n \u2022 Following the investigation, a decision was taken to immediately suspend the branch manager responsible. Before this could be done, the manager was arrested after the same senior employee who reported the incident opened a case with the SAPS.<\/p>\n \u2022 Ten days after this, we discovered that a second charge had been laid by the same senior employee against one of the cleaning staff involved in the incident.<\/p>\n \u2022 The branch manager responsible for initiating the search has subsequently been dismissed with immediate effect.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Man allegedly takes woman\u2019s underwear after rape<\/a><\/p>\n Police warn children to be careful<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Commission for Gender Equality has stated that it will investigate the matter in line with section 187 of the Constitution and section 11(1)(e) of the CGE Act (No. 39 of 1996, as amended), which states: \u201cThe Commission shall investigate any gender-related issues of its own accord or on receipt of a complaint, and shall endeavour to resolve any dispute or rectify any act or omission by mediation, conciliation or negotiation.\u201d<\/p>\n The CGE said it welcomes any reports or evidence that may help its investigation, particularly from women workers affected by the alleged sexual harassment.<\/p>\n Members of the public can contact the CGE using the toll-free number 0800 007 709 or the CGE\u2019s head office on 011 403 7182.<\/p>\n Topbet SA added in their statement that the company is grateful to the senior employee for bringing this traumatic event to their attention.<\/p>\n \u201cHer temporary suspension is not as a result of her role as a whistle-blower, for which we are deeply indebted,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n \u201cGoing forward we will be taking the following steps to better protect and empower our staff, and to ensure that such incidents never occur in our company again:<\/p>\n \u2022 We will be offering trauma counselling to all staff.<\/p>\n \u2022 We will be strengthening our branch-level human resource representation in order to empower our staff members on all levels to voice any concerns at any stage and offer greater protection and anonymity to whistle-blowers.<\/p>\n \u2022 We will be conducting management training to better equip our managers to deal with such situations and empower our junior staff members.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za <\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2018\/03\/10-GCN-CRIME-MENS-MH2-Custom-520x400.jpg\")