By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A joint committee of South African parliament says it is investigating an allegation of sexual assault against the Deputy Health Minister, Sibongiseni Dhlomo.
This is in response to a report in Sunday Times, alleging that Dhlomo harassed a male parliamentary political party researcher.
The complaint was formally brought before it on Friday, the committee stated.
According to Sunday Times, affidavit by the complainant indicates that the incident took place at the official Cape Town residence of Dhlomo.
The complainant alleges he was invited by Dhlomo where he was scheduled to discuss the National Health Insurance Bill with him.
He said Dhlomo made sexual advances towards him, an incident he reported to the police.
The National Assembly joint committee on ethics said it would establish a sub-committee in terms of the code of ethical conduct to consider the matter at a hearing in November.
Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said Dhlomo takes the allegations very seriously and will not be commenting on them, so as not to jeopardise the investigation.
The committee said it will be guided by the ethics code to deal with the complaint promptly, fairly and consistently.
The joint chairpersons of the committee Bekizwe Nkosi and Lydia Moshodi said the code prohibits them from commenting further on the matter until there’s an outcome.
