News24 reports that the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) in the Free State said it was concerned after a top official at the Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC) was suspended, allegedly for sexual harassment.

The MCC is a maximum security facility, which is run by G4S SA on behalf of the Department of Correctional Services. Popcru's provincial secretary, Amelia Mahlatsi, said a high-ranking official at the prison had been suspended in connection with three allegations of sexual harassment. She stated: "Popcru is firmly against any acts of gender-based violence in all its forms, and is increasingly concerned that such serious allegations are levelled against a senior member of the correctional facility, demonstrating the rife nature of the abuse of power exerted on junior officials. It is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature which impairs human dignity and creates a hostile working environment - and, as a union that is non-sexist, we do not take these allegations lightly and will therefore work to ensure that women are protected, both in their living and working spaces." Mahlatsi said the union would monitor the process to ensure the victims were not prejudiced. G4S confirmed the suspension and said it took the allegations “extremely seriously” and had appointed a senior woman to lead a thorough investigation. Last week, the SA Human Rights Commission said it was investigating allegations that employees at the prison were forced to strip naked, in front of colleagues, during searches.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tebogo Monama at News24

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