Gender Equality Commission investigates Ndlozi’s comments on harassment of a female journalist

The Commission for Gender Equality is investigating former Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi’s comments in which he allegedly defended the harassment of a female journalist.

After the alleged incident of harassment of a broadcast journalist, Ndlozi posted on social media that merely touching wasn’t harassment.

But they are telling her that she can be here, but not allowed to talk to EFF members. It means she was trying to interview them

I really do not see harassment here. Merely Touching her is not harassment. The touch has to be violent, invasive, or harmful to become harassment! https://t.co/dzkglCGVcM

— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) September 9, 2020

Here is Ramaphosa TOUCHING a journalist to remove her from the way so that Mandela’s can pass. Merely touching journalists is NOT harassment

We can disagree with EFF members removing journalists from protests (WHICH IS WRONG) without saying merely touching them is Harassment! pic.twitter.com/inniwlNgRf

— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) September 9, 2020

This sparked public outrage and he subsequently apologised for what he called an irresponsible tweet which gave licence to the violent treatment of women.

The commission’s spokesperson Javu Baloyi says an investigation will continue despite an apology from Ndlozi.

“The Commission for Gender Equality has received a formal complaint against Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. The complainant feels that this warrants to be investigated by the Commission for Gender Equality as such the Commission for Gender Equality has received this. We have also noticed and noted that Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi has apologised about his comments, however, our internal processes as the Commission for Gender Equality will continue as such.”