Issued by: Gauteng Legislature
MEDIA STATEMENT
The Office of the Speaker has clarified the position of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature regarding the employment status of Constable A. Mathebula, who allegedly attempted to rape a 26-year-old female employee of the Legislature, in May this year. The incident is alleged to have happened at a place separate from the Legislature.
Investigations carried out by the Office have revealed that the Legislature has never had any direct or indirect involvement with Constable Mathebula, and that he has never been assigned or seconded to the Provincial Protection Services Personnel, for the provision of services in and around the Legislature. Also, the policeman has never driven any official vehicle owned or assigned to the Legislature. The Provincial Protection Services Personnel are not in the employ of the Legislature, but those that are seconded to the Legislature fall under the jurisdiction of the Serjeant-at-Arms, and ultimately the Speaker.
The investigations confirmed that an application to suspend the policeman was made on 08 June, two days after the charge of attempted rape was laid by the employee. On 22 June the application was approved on the grounds that the charge (Randburg case AS123/06/95) was considered serious, and that it placed in question Constable Mathebula's fitness to perform his duties. The constable was suspended by the head of the Provincial Protection Services of the SAPS, Lt-Col N.S. Coetzer, with notice that he was entitled to a suspension allowance. The allowance amounts to 50% of his normal benefits.
Prior to October this year, the Legislature granted permission for the use of space in its building, as the headquarters of the Provincial Protection Services, until they were able to obtain their own premises. In view of this, and according to the management of the Protection Services, Constable Mathebula may have occasionally entered the Legislature subsequent to his suspension, to interact with his supervisors.
MOEMISE MOTSEPE -- Media Liaison Officer (Issued by the Communication Department of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature) Private Bag X52, Johannesburg 2000. Tel: (011) 498-5555. Fax: (011) 498-5999.