MAHIKENG MAIL – MAHIKENG: The Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation (ACSR) has released a media statement countering allegations against its senior official, Thabo Mabe, in which he was accused of various transgressions including corruption, gender-based violence (GBV), abuse of power, corruption and other malfeasance.
In the media statement, which the department responded to, Mabe is allegedly accused of leveraging his position to demand sexual favours in exchange for work opportunities - ”an outrageous abuse of power that perpetuates gender-based violence and corruption within the industry”. Mahikeng Mail has seen, and its in possession of the statement which contains the allegations which, according to the department, appears to be “quite serious and has the potential to cause reputational damage,” against the said official.
In their response, the department said that an internal process has been initiated to seek clarity and further information from the official concerned, as the rights of parties are protected in terms of the law.
The department further said they intended to give this matter their proper attention and can only do so “provided that there’s a complaint with the identity of the said “victim/s”, which can be forwarded to the department or any other relevant legislated structure for investigation. “Information/records are provided to substantiate the allegations. On the strength of the aforesaid, we wish to assure the public that the department has a zero tolerance approach towards gender-based violence, abuse of power, corruption and any other malfeasance. The department will do anything reasonably and practically possible to protect those who report such misconduct.
“The department will investigate such maters speedily, within the confines and provisions of all laws. We appeal for calm, allowing the department to deal with this matter in such a way that the rights of all affected parties are protected,” said the department.
