Zululand district mayor and a prominent IFP leader Thulasizwe Buthelezi has denied claims of sexual harassment levelled against him.
Buthelezi believes that the allegations are part of a political campaign to smear and tarnish his image.
“This is a smear campaign being peddled by the ANC provincial secretary and NFP [National Freedom Party] councillors in Zululand,” said Buthelezi.
“I would welcome any investigation into the said allegations.”
Buthelezi was reacting to a leaked letter purportedly written by a woman employee at the municipality who asked for help to escape the “predatory tendencies” of the mayor.
“I find myself in a difficult position where I am forced to sleep with the mayor against my will to keep my work,” says the victim in the letter addressed to unions.
The letter is also addressed to KwaZulu-Natal department of social development.
“I find myself having sex with him because he wields massive power. [He usually tells me that he will crush my career] and abuse his power over me and other ladies that I would prefer not to name because of the sensitivity of this issue.”
The victim also fingered the municipal manager for aiding and concealing the sexual ways of the mayor, saying several women have been turned into sex slaves to keep their jobs.
However, Buthelezi poured cold water over the allegations, insisting that his hands are clean.
He said those who said he had violated should report the matter to the police so that the allegations can be investigated.
“I have been the subject of malicious smear campaigns since November 2017 when I became the mayor of Zululand,” he said.
“I encourage all those who have grievances to approach the department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, as well as law-enforcement agencies.
“People who know me and those who work with me know the kind of person I am insofar as respecting women’s rights in the workplace.”
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