A couple working for the SA Social Services Agency (Sassa) claim they are living in fear after they found an envelope with their names, car registrations and two live bullets inside placed under the gate of their Mdantsane, Eastern Cape home on Thursday.
The couple, from NU11, are not being named due to the sensitivity of the matter.
They said since they lodged a case of sexual harassment and abuse of power against one of their former bosses at the provincial Sassa headquarters in 2021, their lives have not been the same.
Their boss, who also cannot be named, was dismissed after an internal process found him guilty of the allegations in August 2023.
However, he is appealing his dismissal at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
The couple told the Dispatch on Friday they would receive threatening phone calls from unknown people saying they knew their whereabouts.
After the envelope incident at their home, they opened a case of intimidation with police on Thursday.
In August 2023, the Dispatch reported their boss had been found guilty in an internal disciplinary hearing and dismissed.
He is appealing against the verdict, citing unfairness, with the matter to be heard by the CCMA next month.
The official was under investigation after the female employee reported he had allegedly demanded sex from her in exchange for promotion on December 8 2020.
According to reliable information, he was found guilty of “grave misdemeanour of sexual harassment, quid pro quo, abuse of power and contravention of grievance rules applicable to public service”.
The woman’s partner said after hearing their dog barking early on Thursday morning, he went outside to investigate.
Staff members who were talking to us were treated badly and we had to be all by ourselves. This kind of treatment affected us so badly that we both suffered from depression.
— Sassa employee
“As I stepped out of the house, I heard a car driving away. I approached the gate and saw an envelope had been pushed inside the yard. On the envelope was written our names and car registration numbers, and there were two unused bullets inside.”
He said the discovery had left him and his partner “cold with shock”.
The alleged harassment victim said she had written to social development minister Sisisi Tolashe in October, expressing her fears and concerns, but “nothing has been done, let alone getting support”.
“I hear they are [allegedly] taking decisions to stop the matter with the CCMA and no-one is making me aware at Sassa. I am further told they are pushing to settle the matter internally and the manager might return to office,” she said.
She said there was hostility from some colleagues towards her for having reported her boss’ alleged conduct.
“The anonymous calls I was getting, they would tell me I am lying about the case. After the dismissal last year, I started experiencing ill treatment from some colleagues,” she said.
In a letter written to Tolashe, seen by the Dispatch, she stated: “We have been subjected to a lot of ill treatment by those who were backing the former boss.
“Staff members who were talking to us were treated badly and we had to be all by ourselves. This kind of treatment affected us so badly that we both suffered from depression.”
Tolashe, in her response letter that same month, stated: “I do not take your concerns or complaints lightly. I am suggesting you redirect your concerns to the CEO of Sassa in the Eastern Cape, as he should be in a position to have your concerns addressed.”
Provincial Sassa spokesperson Tabisa Nondwayi on Friday said they were not aware of the victimisation allegations.
“Allegations of threats received are said to have happened outside Sassa premises and were unfortunately not brought to the attention of the agency.
“The employees are advised to report such matters to law enforcement agencies, which have the necessary capacity and mandate to deal with cases of this nature.”
Nondwayi could not answer questions sent to her by the Dispatch, and referred further questions to the agency’s national office.
Police spokesperson Capt Mluleki Mbi on Friday confirmed a case of intimidation was being investigated “after the NU11 family discovered an envelope placed under their gate with two live rounds”.
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