Second woman speaks out over alleged sexual assault at company in Pretoria

A second woman involved in an alleged sexual assault incident at a company in Silverton, Pretoria East has spoken out about the incident, Rekord East reports.

In August, a female supervisor at the company allegedly forced 30 women to pull down their pants after a used sanitary pad was found in the women’s bathroom.

According to the women, the supervisor then bent down to look at their private parts to determine if they were on their menstrual cycle and whether they were wearing a sanitary pad.

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“I told her that I was not on my period and that I don’t get periods any longer, but she insisted,” said the second woman to speak to Rekord about the alleged incident.

“I could not say no. I was too scared of being intimidated afterwards or possibly losing my job.”

The woman cannot be named due to the nature of the case.

She said she took off her pants as the woman came closer to “inspect” her.

“I was so scared and confused. She has all the power to make our lives miserable and that made us even more scared. I am broken,” she said.

“Her apology did not take back the humiliation. I am going to give my statement to the police as well and hope the others do the same.”

Silverton police have opened a case of sexual assault and said they were still waiting to get statements from the other women.

Previously, Rekord spoke to another victim who detailed the same alleged incident, except she said she was even touched on her private parts by the supervisor. Both women said they were victims of sexual crimes before, and the incident forced them to relive their pasts.

“I was molested when I was in grade 6. All of those memories of violation just came flooding back,” one of the women said.

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The case has since reached the office of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

“We are looking into this matter,” said spokesperson Buang Jones.

He said the office’s complaints handling procedures provide for the commission to deal with a complaint in one of the three ways:

– Mediation – section 14 of the SAHRC act; section 9 of the Complaints Handling Procedures (CHP);

– Investigation – section 13(3) & 15 of the SAHRC act; section 10 of the CHP, or

– Litigation – section 13(3)(b) of the SAHRC act; section 17 of the CHP.

“When we receive complaints, we have a wide discretion to determine which of these three routes to follow,” he said.

“I have assigned the matter to our senior legal officer, Kelly-Anne Cleophas, for further handling.

“Once a determination has been made on which legal mechanisms to use concerning this matter, we will engage with the complainants.”

Speaking through their attorney, Phillip du Toit, the company said since the matter had been brought to their attention a disciplinary process against the said supervisor had started.

“Due to the serious nature of this matter, this is highly confidential and the matter will now be dealt with through a disciplinary process,” he said.

The company has since organised counselling for the women who were hopeful that justice would be served.