Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has fired the suspended provincial Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz from his position with immediate effect as of Tuesday, 1 March.
“The investigation report was submitted to me on Sunday evening. I have considered the content, and a meeting with Adv Williams and our own legal team took place yesterday afternoon, where we discussed it and I sought further clarity.
“Having gone through this report carefully, it is clear to me that Mr Fritz is not a fit and proper person to hold any position in my executive council. He has therefore been removed, in line with the powers vested in me by the Constitution,” Winde said.
The independent investigation found that:
- There is sufficient credibility in the allegations of sexual misconduct
- There is sufficient credibility in the allegations of alcohol abuse
- There is sufficient evidence of Mr Fritz creating an environment that is conducive to sexual harassment, or alternatively taking advantage of young women sexually.
The Premier went on to say that the whole situation is unfathomable as someone who has been tasked to protect the youth and the communities are capable of something like this.
“It is a shocking violation of his oath of office and the principles of our constitutional democracy. This is the starkest reminder of the pervasiveness of gender-based violence at all levels of our society.
“President, to Premier, from CEO to father, mother, brother, sister or friend have a role to play to end it,” Winde said.
Meanwhile, Provincial Minister Anroux Marais will continue to act in Fritz’s position until such a stage as a permanent replacement has been made.
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