The Wits Business School (WBS) has terminated Mapaseka Mokwele’s contract after allegations surfaced that the radio and television personality assaulted a colleague and friend.
The attack on Thandi Makubele is said to have taken place at the institution’s fundraising conference held in Cape Town in September 2022.
Another organisation, Centre on African Philanthropy and Social Investment (CAPSI), which had partnered with the WBS to host the event, also terminated Mokwele’s participation in the conference because of gender-based violence allegations (GBV) levelled against her.
The shocking GBV titbits are contained in e-mails written by the WBS, Makubele, Mokwele and CAPSI.
Nozi Mosia, WBS human resources officer, stated in an e-mail she wrote to Mokwele that her office received a complaint from Makubele alleging that she kicked her.
Makubele’s peccadillo, said Mosia, was for telling delegates who attended the conference that the ravishing radio personality was “an influential person”.
Mosia further stated that Makubele claimed that she sustained bruises to her leg because of the assault.
Makubele, added Mosia, has even shot pictures of her injuries and sent them to Bhekinkosi Moyo, a professor at WBS, and CAPSI deputy director Jacob Mati. Moyo also wrote an e-mail to Mokwele raising his concerns about Makubele’s allegations.
“Thandi reported that today while making a presentation, you assaulted her by kicking her several times because she mentioned in her group presentation that you are an ‘influential person’, who in fundraising process could open opportunities or something to that effect,” read the e-mail.
He told Mokwele that he had delegated Mati to deal with the matter and possibly resolve it.
“As you are aware cases of assault have clear ad comprehensive procedures in places that are beyond our control or management as CAPSI and WBS.
“From our end, Jacob [Mati] will need to speak to you individually and together to get the facts of what transpired before we can take an informed decision,” he wrote.
Makubele, who was copied in the e-mail, responded by saying she would not attend the meeting because she is scared that Mokwele could beat her up again.
“She could kick me in the room full of people for saying that she is an influential person, therefore I’m afraid I could say something that could trigger her,” read Makhubele’s e-mail.
“However, I can meet before the meeting starts so I can reiterate what I have already said to both of you.
“I have attached pictures of bruises on the right leg taken within an hour after the assault and four hours after the assault.”
Mokwele said she feels horrified, violated, and harassed by the allegations and noted that she is keen to attend the meeting to clear her name and protect her integrity.
“In light of the allegations levelled against me, I really feel I need to defend my integrity. I have spoken to one of the delegates who sits literally next to me. She is absolutely horrified and wants to be a witness in this issue,” read Mokwele’s e-mail.
“My privacy was absolutely violated by the conversations, and as delegates they were not sensitive to it, only after I indicated that I am uncomfortable. I am disappointed and feel violated and harassed in this whole incident.”
After a while, Moyo wrote a letter informing Mokwele that the WBS has decided to terminate her contract due to the allegations.
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“Both HR [human resources] and legal [department] have advised that none of the policies apply to you because you are not an employee of the university. This means that none of the structures at Wits including CAPSI can attend to this matter.
“The ‘accuser’ in this case has no option but to follow the normal assault route and open a case with the police if she or he chooses to [sic]. This would be outside Wits’ domain.
“As a result of this, we have been advised not to renew the contract but rather to change it into a full-time employment, have it graded and advertised,” read the e-mail.
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