Opposition political parties yesterday slated the department of foreign affairs for failing to resolve sexual harassment charges brought against South Africa's ambassador to Indonesia.

United Democratic Movement foreign affairs spokesman George Madikiza said in a statement ambassador Norman Mashabane should be suspended immediately, pending a full investigation into the charges.

"The minister of foreign affairs (Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma) must act as a matter of urgency to avoid further damage to the country's image abroad," he said.

It was disturbing that Mashabane continued in his post, despite yet another complaint of harassment being lodged against him.

He said it was evident the minister was not serious about the matter.

"The response from her department that her schedule is too busy to attend to the matter is completely unacceptable," Madikiza said.

Dlamini-Zuma has apparently been considering the appeal since last year.

A new sex complaint was lodged against Mashabane on Wednesday.

The foreign affairs ministry confirmed Mashabane is still at his post more than a year after being found guilty, by an internal disciplinary hearing, on 21 workplace sexual harassment charges.

The hearing recommended in December 2001 that he be sacked, but Mashabane appealed and was allowed to continue in his post pending the outcome.

General secretary of the Public Servants' Association, Anton Louwrens, said the latest complaint was by a female employee at the embassy in Jakarta.

It was brought to the union's attention by the woman, a union member, about a month ago.

Democratic Alliance spokesperson Sandra Botha -stressing that South Africa was to celebrate Women's Day on August 9 - said the fact that Mashabane was still in his post more than a year after being found guilty on harassment charges made a mockery of women's rights.

"It is difficult to comprehend what sort of hold Mr Mashabane has over the department of foreign affairs. He should have been dismissed by now.

"It is clear that he is being protected, despite his many transgressions," she said. – Sapa.