A senior provincial traffic chief accused of sexual harassment is set to return to court next month to make representations to the State.
According to IOL, Farrel Payne appeared in the Cape Town Regional Court earlier today where the case was postponed to July 27. Payne has been released on bail amounting to R5000.
Payne has been accused of sexual assault, crimen injuria and an attempt to commit a sexual act. The woman reported the incident in September 2020, which led to Payne being arrested in October 2020.
The woman said to the Cape Times that she felt robbed of her career and was too traumatised to return to work fearing that she might see Payne. She has since been booked off on indefinite incapacity leave.
While Payne remains in his post at the Department of Transport and Public Works, an internal investigation was conducted.
The final report of the investigation was received on April 8 and awaits the decision to be made by the head of department.
It has been reported that Payne made inappropriate remarks towards the woman and grabbed at her jacket in the work corridor.
Anti-GBV activist, Alexis Serra accuses the department of covering up for Payne so that he does not lose his senior position.
“After two months of receiving no feedback, the victim had to hear all the new developments through a parliamentary plenary debate, which was live on national television.
’’It seems that the department’s senior management are doing everything in their power to frustrate the victim and prolong the process, to keep Payne in his position,” said Serra.
Picture: Twitter / Cape {town} Etc