The MEC for Community Safety in the Western Cape, Albert Fritz, has been fired.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde announced the disgraced MEC's removal from his provincial cabinet on Tuesday.
Fritz is facing multiple charges, including sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse, and grooming, which relates to the creation of circumstances that enabled sexual misconduct.
Premier Winde says the decision was made in the wake of the report from Advocate, Jennifer Williams, following the finalisation of her independent investigation to test the veracity of the allegations against Fritz.
In her report, Williams said Fritz appeared to be oblivious to the power dynamics at play in his interactions with young female interns/staff.
She interviewed 18 witnesses in total who submitted photographs, emails, videos, text messages and correspondence in support of various aspects of their evidence, all of which were considered.
The report said the complainants indicated a reluctance to participate due to concerns about their safety, job security and a strategy aimed at impugning their credibility by damaging their reputations in the media and in the communities in which they live. Both MEC Fritz (and his legal team) and the Premier undertook to respect the confidentiality of the complainants at all times.
MEC Fritz, who denies all the allegations against him, provided full responses and answered all the questions, providing his documentation, text messages, photographs and witness statements in support of his defence.
Fritz argued that the allegations were politically motivated and rooted in factionalism in the Democratic Alliance.
The Investigator believes the factual bases supporting the allegations of sexual misconduct of the complainants, alcohol abuse and grooming are sufficiently credible and that a reasonable person, considering the evidence would conclude that allegations are true.
Premier Winde says after studying the report carefully it became clear to him that Mr Fritz, is not a fit and proper person to hold any position in his executive council.
Winde also offered his support to the alleged victims if they were to pursue criminal cases against Fritz.
