News24 reports that according to a former staff member, a "culture" of sexual harassment, where men could "prey" on female staff members, has always been prevalent at Lotus FM.  

This claim followed the release on Tuesday of a report of an independent commission of inquiry into sexual harassment at the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).  The inquiry was established by the public broadcaster in June and Lotus FM was singled out in its report.  Most of the complaints received by the commission came from that station and from Channel Africa.  The report noted:  "There is a worrying history of gender-based violence cases from Lotus FM indicating a need for strong leadership."  In her new book, ‘Beaten But Not Broken’, former Lotus FM reporter and television journalist Vanessa Tedder laid bare the details of an abusive relationship which began at Lotus FM.  She described being physically and sexually assaulted on the station's premises.  Tedder believes staff members, even management, at the station knew what was going on and did nothing to stop it.  She said the environment at Lotus was filled with "toxic masculinity".  The main problem, she asserted, was that there were no repercussions for the perpetrators.  This was borne out by the commission's report, which noted that this was an issue across the SABC.

• Read the full original report by Sarah Evans at News24
• Read too, Commission shames affairs at revered Lotus FM, at Sunday Tribune

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page