Sinegugu Ndlovu
GENDER activists hauled eThekwini municipality over the coals yesterday for its poor gender employment equity, saying it had set low targets and was slow in addressing gender transformation.
The municipality appeared before the Commission for Gender Equality, which is holding public hearings in Durban where public and private sector CEOs are accounting for the gender balances at their institutions.
Before eThekwini’s hearing could start, the three city representatives – led by deputy city manager Sipho Cele – were asked to account for why the municipality had not responded to the commission’s invitation to participate.
Commissioners said they had had to spend taxpayers’ money to subpoena the city. Cele denied knowledge of the city’s lack of response.
The commission expressed shock on discovering that females comprised 20 percent of eThekwini employees and 21 percent of senior management positions. The municipality aimed to increase both figures to 32 percent by 2016.
Grave concern
“I have grave concern over the municipality’s gender employment equity; it resembles the public sector in 2005,” said commissioner Janine Hicks.
“It’s alarming that, at this stage, eThekwini has 36 percent whites, 37 percent Indians and 24 percent Africans in senior management. The municipality is not complying with racial transformation.
“I’m concerned that your five-year target for gender equity is 32 percent when legislation makes it 50/50.”
Hicks was also concerned that the person responsible for employment equity was not a senior manager.
Cele was also taken to task for the municipality’s handling of disciplinary matters.
In one case, a female employee had lodged a sexual harassment complaint against a male colleague who had sent her pornographic material. Instead of finding him guilty of sexual harassment, the municipality had dismissed him on a different basis.
“He will be employed again, with the new employer not knowing he is a threat,” said the commission’s Victor Mavhidula.
Cele said it was pointless to set a high gender equity target and then have to account for not reaching it.
“It’s not a willingness issue; it’s largely related to the supply of various skills required,” he said.
