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Clicks Nurse Fights Back: ‘Victimised After Reporting Sexual Harassment’
When Reporting Sexual Harassment Feels Like the Start of a Nightmare: A Clicks Nurse’s Story
As South Africa marks Women’s Month, stories of courage are emerging alongside troubling reminders that the fight for safe workplaces is far from over. Linda Motloung, a nurse at Tsakane Clicks Clinic in Ekurhuleni, has become one such voice, sharing how her brave step to report sexual harassment by a store manager led to workplace hostility, retaliation, and ongoing trauma.
Sexual Jokes, Advances and Silence
Motloung recalls how a manager’s crude sexual comments began in everyday work moments “He joked about me having sex when I couldn’t get through the security system with my fingerprint,” she says, shaking her head at the memory. “When I told him it was inappropriate, it didn’t stop. He even told me to ‘lubricate my finger with milk from my breast’ because I have a newborn.”
Her attempts to alert management in 2023 eventually led to a hearing, but the outcome wasn’t what she hoped for. It took months for the verdict to arrive, clearing the manager of wrongdoing, leaving Motloung feeling abandoned by the very system meant to protect her.
From Reporting to Retaliation: A Hostile Workplace
After speaking out, the environment at Tsakane Clicks turned cold. “I felt like a stranger in my own workplace,” Motloung says. Salary deductions appeared without explanation, colleagues distanced themselves, and rumours spread, allegedly orchestrated by management to discredit her.
Such workplace victimisation is unfortunately familiar to many South African women. A culture of silence and fear around sexual harassment often leads victims to suffer in isolation. Motloung’s story highlights how reporting misconduct can sometimes open the door to further abuse.
A Fight for Safety and Justice
Last month, things escalated so much that Motloung obtained a court-issued restraining order against certain managers who continued to intimidate her. “I even had to bring police to the store to hand over the order because I feared for my safety,” she said.
Her request to transfer to another branch was denied, which she believes was a deliberate move to push her out. Meanwhile, her mental health has taken a serious hit. A psychologist’s report shared with The Citizen confirms she suffers from PTSD and panic attacks due to the ongoing stress.
Motloung has now taken her case to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), where she will seek justice for unfair discrimination next Wednesday.
Clicks Responds: A Cautious Statement
Clicks Group’s chief people officer, Bridget Makhura, emphasized that the company takes harassment allegations seriously and that an impartial hearing cleared the manager in question. “Clicks does not tolerate harassment, victimisation, or unauthorised pay deductions,” she said, adding that internal processes are followed to handle concerns with fairness.
But for many observers, Motloung’s case spotlights a broader problem, that policies alone don’t guarantee safety or respect, especially for frontline workers and women who speak out.
A Wider Picture: What Motloung’s Story Means for South Africa
Linda Motloung’s ordeal is not unique. Across South Africa, sexual harassment in workplaces remains a critical issue, one that reflects wider societal problems of gender inequality, entrenched patriarchy, and inadequate institutional support.
The fact that Motloung felt forced to pursue legal action, and feared for her safety at work, underscores the urgent need for employers to foster genuine cultures of respect and accountability, not just tick boxes on harassment policies.
Women’s Month serves as a reminder that the road to workplace justice is long and complicated. Motloung’s story shines a light on the courage it takes to stand up against abuse, and the resilience required when systems meant to protect fail.
For those who might be facing similar challenges, remember: reporting harassment is your right, and seeking support is crucial. The law is on your side, and change begins with voices like Linda’s.
If you or someone you know is experiencing workplace harassment, organisations like SADTU, Women’s Legal Centre, and Commission for Gender Equality offer support and guidance.
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