Chairperson, hon members of the NCOP, the Select Committee on Security and Constitutional Development considered a report on the provisional suspension from office of Magistrate C M Dumani, a magistrate at Graaff Reinet, pending the outcome of an investigation into his fitness to hold office as a magistrate as required in terms of section 13(3)(a) of the Magistrates Act, Act 90 of 1993.
Allegations of violence against women that include instances of sexual harassment, rape and domestic violence which embrace emotional, physical, sexual and psychological abuse are of a serious enough nature to warrant a separation of parties to properly investigate the allegations. The allegations brought against Magistrate C M Dumani are of such a nature that the select committee, without hesitation, approved his provisional suspension pending the outcome of the investigation.
The allegations deal with sexual harassment, allegations that as a committee we cannot condone. To give everyone implicated in this matter a fair hearing and for the investigation to progress unrestrained, it is necessary to provisionally suspend Magistrate Dumani until this matter is resolved. After reviewing the progress report from the Magistrate's Commission, we wholeheartedly recommend that the Council approve the provisional suspension from office of Magistrate C M Dumani. Thank you, Chairperson.
Debate concluded.
Question put: That the Report be adopted.
IN FAVOUR: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape.
Report accordingly agreed to in accordance with section 65 of the Constitution.