Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde says he feels that the findings of an independent investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against former Minister of Community Safety, Albert Fritz, provided him with enough evidence to dismiss him. Fritz was on Tuesday fired from his position as MEC for Community Safety.
Winde was speaking during a provincial standing committee meeting on Community Safety, following the axing of Fritz.
Fritz has also resigned as a member of the Democratic Alliance. This follows an independent probe into the veracity of sexual misconduct allegations against him, mostly by young girls, were found to be credible.
Winde says the allegations were very serious. He says the final report justified his decision to fire Fritz.
“From what I gleaned from the report and from the findings of the report, I am then comfortable to say that in actual fact, based on that and whatever happens going forward, I am comfortable enough to dismiss the Minister from my cabinet, so that’s what I used the report for,” says Winde.
Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde says 18 people were interviewed regarding Fritz:
Identities of complainants will remain anonymous
The independent investigator who conducted a probe into allegations of sexual misconduct, that were made against Fritz, says the identities of the complainants in the investigation will remain confidential.
Advocate Jennifer Williams says she does not believe it is necessary for the exact details of incidents to be disclosed, as this may jeopardise the confidentiality of the complainants.
She was also speaking during the meeting.
“Unfortunately, if you try and redact the report, because of the small size of the ministry and the nature of the trips where things happened and the events that happened, it’s so easy to guess who’s involved. It actually makes a joke of the confidentiality. The allegations range from inappropriate sexual comments to inappropriate touching of the complainants, attempts to kiss and kissing without consent as well as sexual intercourse,” says Independent Investigator Jennifer Williams.
Opposition parties want the full report
Meanwhile, opposition parties in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament have called for the full report of the investigation to be released.
Leader of the ANC in the Provincial Parliament, Cameron Dugmore, says they need more details regarding the report.
“By getting details of how all of this was facilitated, I would argue we begin to deal with the problem. So, it’s not wanting salacious details; it’s wanting to know was there facilitation from bodyguards; was there facilitation from ministerial staff; was there facilitation from heads of department, how were people recruited, etc.? So, let’s not underestimate the importance of us digging deep on this issue so that we actually deal with how these things could have happened,” says leader of the ANC in the Western Cape Cameron Dugmore.
In a public statement, Fritz says he plans to take the report on review and described the probe as wholly inadequate.
Winde has shot down Fritz’ claims that the allegations and says the probe was a political orchestration against him.
Police say no charges have yet been laid.
