Ekurhuleni Chief of Police Isaac Mapiyeye will have another day in court later this month after an Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) female staff lodged a case of alleged sexual harassment and misconduct against him.
Mapiyeye appeared briefly in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court on Monday in the company of a private lawyer while the victims (known to The Star) attended in the company of two EMPD officials because she is still employed.
The court postponed the case to September 20 after Mapiyeye’s lawyer submitted a replying affidavit to the allegations, equally so, the victim has to reply.
A source close to the case said the victim is seeking a legal representative so that she too can be represented in court.
Security expert, Calvin Rafadi, forensic investigator at Bizz Tracers, said the Ekurhuleni municipal manager needs to exercise her duty because the life of an employee is under imminent threat.
“Mapiyeye should be called on a precautionary suspension until this matter is properly ventilated before the court,” said Rafadi.
He said the council must put him under precautionary suspension because it is tantamount to intimidation to the victim because she still reports to the facility structure.
“Mapiyeye is an imminent risk for the victim,” said Rafadi.
‘The Star’s reached the City of Ekurhuleni to question the reason why Mapiyeye, who is accused of serious allegations, is still not suspended, but the metro said the matter is still before council.
“The matter is still before the council and a decision is yet to be taken in this regard and let us allow the due processes of the council to unfold. We must not rush into a conclusion,” said City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
Outside court, groups of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) brigades from Gauteng picketed against any form of abuse.
Activist Bheki Kubheka, who led the picket, said they are supporting all victims and not perpetrators who abuse and harass women.
“All abusers must rot in jail, we are not going to support men who abuse women. If you are a boss in the office you don’t have the right to kiss or harass employees in the office. What Mapiyeye did is wrong and we are saying he must rot in jail. We totally disagree will all wrongs happening in this new dispensation, we never liberated this country for rapists and people who are harassing women,” said Kubheka.
He said as long as activists like them are alive, abusers will not get away with it as they are going to fight.
Kubheka said President Cyril Ramaphosa said those who are abusing women and children must “not get bail” and must “rot in jail”.
He said most perpetrators of GBVF are men.
Last month, The Star saw documents from the victim where she reported sexual harassment, and intimidation and provided her medical report.
“On July 4, 2024, I submitted notice of my intention to open a formal case against the Chief of Police I.J Mapiyeye on sexual harassment and behaviour unbecoming of an officer.
“On the 12 of July 2024, I submitted my formal complaint and ensured that I have no contact with Mapiyeye by way of blocking his telephonic contact. By the 13 of July 2024, I presume that Mapiyeye was already aware that there was a complaint of sexual harassment against him. I also think that he was fully aware that calling any of my family members was going to be construed as attempting to make contact with me.
“On 13 of July 2024, Mapiyeye called my sister four times at around 10:47 – 13:23. He again called my sister on 21 July 2024 at 14:10 (SEE ATTACHED SCREENSHOT). This was after we had both submitted our statements,” said the victim.
She said the formal case of sexual harassment against Mapiyeye was reported to the head of the department Ms Linda Gasheka (HOD- HR) on July 12, 2024.
“On 14 July 2024, I started experiencing anxiety and a low mood. The symptoms were characterised by short breath, headaches, forgetfulness and poor concentration. I then reached out to my psychiatrist (name withheld) on 18 July 2024 who immediately recommended that I be admitted. I was admitted at Life Glynnview Hospital on 29/07/2024 and I am currently being treated for anxiety and major depressive disorder.
“As much as I had to gather all my strength and courage to report this case, I am fully aware that this complaint is against a powerful figure who is also my boss. I believe that Mapiyeye is familiar with our sexual harassment policy and as senior person he is supposed to know what goes against the policy. I find Mapiyeye’s actions as intimidatory and deliberately choose to ignore the rules of charges put before him. hereby request for protection against any form of intimidation and potential secondary harassment from Mapiyeye. I am already feeling isolated in the hospital away from my kids, work and family,” she said.
The victim was contacted but never commented.
The matter was discussed in council and is set to form part of the agenda soon.
Those in the know alleged that Mapiyeye is politically protected.
According to reports, there are criminal cases against Mapiyeye including one of alleged assault of a pregnant woman.
According to reports, the assault charges against Mapiyeye were reported to Kwa-Thema police after he allegedly abused an employee of a security company contracted with the municipality to conduct operations at the EMPD academy.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate last month told ‘The Star’ that the victim dropped the charges, however, a source close to the matter on Monday confirmed the case will be back in court soon.
NPA regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the authority is not the one dealing with the case but dealt with at Family Court.
The Star