Embattled Ekurhuleni police chief Isaac Mapiyeye is known as politically protected and has many scandals besides the alleged misconduct of assaulting a pregnant woman.
Mapiyeye, the head of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), has been in the news for allegedly assaulting a heavily pregnant woman, whose name is known to The Star but can’t be mentioned for fear of reprisals, working as a security guard at the government precinct.
Private forensic investigator, Calvin Rafadi, contacted by the victim, revealed to The Star that Mapiyeye, through his probe, was politically protected because he had many files against government officials.
He said: “The chief (Mapiyeye) is highly politically protected, I wouldn’t be surprised if he has councillors’ scandals in his files, especially those who have business conflicts with construction mafias and zama zamas in the area of Ekurhuleni region.
“In that regard, I’m not surprised he still continues with his horrific tactics of abusing women in that workplace,” Rafadi said.
The matter was also reported to the Public Protector, stating: “Acknowledge that assault charges were reported against Mr Mapiyeye at the Kwa-Thema police under CAS No. 2371/12/2021.
“These charges emanated from an incident which involved Mr Mapiyeye abusing name withheld, an employee of a security company that is contracted with the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality to conduct operations at the Kwa-Thema Metro Academy.”
In a letter, seen by this publication, another alleged victim of abuse rendered her complaint on July 4, stating that she was sexually harassed by Mapiyeye.
“On July 12, I submitted my complaint and insured that I had no contact with Mr Mapiyeye by of blocking his telephonic contact… By the 13th, I presume he was already aware that there was a complaint of sexual harassment against him.”
She accused Mapiyeye of calling her family, trying to lure her into bed.
“As much as I had to gather my strength and courage to report this case I’m fully aware that this case is against a powerful figure who is also my boss… I find his actions intimidating and deliberately chose to ignore the rules of charges put before him … I hereby ask for protection of any form of intimidation by him,” she wrote.
Mapiyeye did not answer his call when The Star tried to reach him.
City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini speaking to The Star on Thursday said when they received the complaint they gave it priority.
Ipid spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe said: “An attempt by the public protector to interfere with an ongoing and duly authorised investigation by Ipid would have been in violation of the constitutional imperative that the protector exercise its powers within the confines of the law as contemplated in section 181(2) of the Constitution.”
The Star previously reported that the EFF in Gauteng was demanding an immediate release of the report on the investigation into the alleged misconduct of Mapiyeye.
The party accused him of being under investigation for an extended period saying the city council was scheduled to discuss the matter, among others, this week.
EFF provincial chairperson Nkululeko Dunga initially told The Star: “There are strong allegations that he further intimidated the woman to withdraw the criminal charges she had filed against him, threatening her with job loss if she pursued the case, and involving other police officials in a cover-up.
“These allegations are of serious gravity and must be taken with the urgency they warrant. The fact that the investigation, initiated last October, has yet to produce a report raises serious concerns about potential abuse of power and the manipulation of justice.”
Dunga said the EFF would not remain silent about the victimisation of women, especially by high-ranking officials who believed they were “beyond reproach” and could “cover up” misconduct.
“We caution the city against complacency regarding serious allegations of abuse and harassment. The delay in releasing the investigation report obstructs fair treatment and justice. The report must be finalised and presented to the council without further delay,” He said.
He said the city could not afford to delay the matter any longer, as doing so would imply that the accused head of department was being protected by the city and its officials, while the victim — a junior staff member and a woman — was left to cope with her trauma alone, especially during Women’s Month
The Star