Lesedi municipality employee says she was fired after rejecting manager’s advances

A junior employee at Gauteng’s Lesedi municipality was suspended and later dismissed after reporting repeated sexual advances by a senior manager, according to an external investigation that found prima facie evidence of sexual harassment and victimisation.

Allegations, suspension and dismissal

The complainant, identified in reporting as the municipality’s training and development officer, said she was targeted after rejecting alleged repeated sexual advances by the municipal manager, Sibusiso Dlamini. After she reported the conduct, she was suspended and subsequently dismissed on what she says were “trumped‑up charges.”

The employee was reportedly left without salary and benefits for about nine months. The alleged unfair labour practice dispute was set to be heard by the South African Local Government Bargaining Council in Benoni on Monday.

Investigation findings and recommendations

An external investigation, in a report dated 16 April last year, concluded there was prima facie evidence that Dlamini had subjected the complainant to sexual harassment and victimisation. The report described the conduct attributed to the manager as “reprehensible” and said it should be “deprecated.”

The investigator recommended that Dlamini face a disciplinary inquiry and be placed on precautionary suspension pending that process. The report also recommended that the municipality immediately lift the employee’s suspension, finding it had been orchestrated with an ulterior motive and based on unsubstantiated allegations, and that Lesedi consider paying the employee the nine months’ salary she lost.

Alleged continued victimisation

The employee alleged further adverse treatment after raising concerns. Her lawyers said her electricity was cut off and the municipality removed her electricity meter box, actions they argued formed part of the broader victimisation. They also lodged a dispute after charges and penalties were reportedly loaded onto her municipal account.

Municipality response and legal action

The municipality’s corporate and legal services manager, Andrew Machitje, said the matter was in the High Court in Johannesburg and therefore sub judice. He said:

“Both parties in the matter have made submissions in the high court, and those submissions include facts on dispute, are pending to be ventilated before the competent presiding officer.”

The report said Dlamini had not replied to a request for comment. It also said that in March last year Lesedi mayor Mluleki Nkosi approved Dlamini’s request for special leave of absence in the wake of the allegations, while allegedly allowing him to keep his salary and to take part in key municipality decisions. Thobeka Zondi, the infrastructure manager, was appointed to act in the municipal manager’s position.

Next steps

The investigator’s report recommended that the municipality institute a disciplinary inquiry against Dlamini and take stern action, saying victimisation of employees should not be tolerated. The employee’s lawyers have challenged the actions they say followed her complaint and have lodged disputes with the municipality and in labour forums.