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Commission for Gender Equality to assess investigation regarding sex-for-jobs and sex-for-houses in EC

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Dear MyPE

The fight against the scourge of sex-for-jobs and sex-for-houses has gained new momentum after the Commission for Gender Equality agreed to assess claims of these practices taking place in the Eastern Cape.

On 13 June 2019 I was joined by DA Eastern Cape Provincial Leader, Nqaba Bhanga MPL, in meeting with a delegation from the Commission in East London. (See invitation attached here)

In April 2019 the DA Women’s Network (DAWN) in the Eastern Cape wrote to the Commission to request an immediate investigation into the illegal practices of sex-for-jobs and sex-for-houses in the province.

And today, 24 June 2019, we can finally give feedback on this process.

The acting chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality, Ms Tamara Mathebula, gave us her undertaking that all examples brought to her attention will now be assessed.

The Commission will make contact with people involved with these claims and make an assessment on how best to proceed with a possible investigation.

I have picked up issues during our travels throughout the Eastern Cape. During this time we have been informed of many incidences of vulnerable and struggling women who have had to use their bodies as CV’s to get work.

These damning revelations came to light during discussions with women, specifically in Komani and Reeston in East London.

We came across at least three examples of Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) sex-for-jobs allegations in Komani in the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality. In New Life in Reeston we were also approached by women who incurred the same sex-for-jobs issue within the EPWP.

We have requested the Commission to start an investigation into the Eastern Cape Department of Public Works – the department in charge of the EPWP.

The shocking practice of demanding sex-for-houses is also prevalent in Komani. Three young women came forward and said they had slept with Enoch Migijima Local Municipality officials to receive RDP houses.

We spoke to a woman who did not have sex-for-houses, but because someone else did so, she lost the house she was entitled to.

We therefore also requested the Commission to investigate the housing department of the Enoch Mgijima Municipality.

The Commission will now complete its assessment and then give feedback on the possibility of continuing with a full scale investigation.

A DA government will build One South Africa for All by ensuring that the practices of sex-for-jobs and sex-for-houses are criminalised and all perpetrators arrested face the full might of the law.

Regards

Georgina Faldtman
DAWN Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson

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