INSIDE POLITICS REPORTER
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has suspended with immediate effect his spokesperson Vukani Mde following allegations of sexual misconduct.
In a carefully worded statement on Wednesday, Mashatile said: “The Presidency, in light of the gravity of the allegations made against Mr Mde, has decided to suspend him with immediate effect with full emoluments.
“Mr Mde has assured us of his willingness to cooperate with the investigation and the entire process to clear his name.”
Mashatile said the decision to suspend Mde is also to ensure that the alleged victim feels protected during this process. The female employee involved is a senior female staffer who directly reported to Mde.
According to the Sunday World, Mde sent the employee not just love proposals but “messages that are sexual in nature to her work cell phone number.”
Director of Content Development and Speech Writing Itumeleng Mafatshe will act as the Chief Director for the Communications unit.
Gauteng communications guru and former ANC Communications manager Keith Khoza will act as Mashatile’s Spokesperson.
INSIDE POLITICS