Former Water and Sewerage Company (WASCO) chief executive officer, Thelejane Thelejane, has been cleared of the sexual harassment allegations made against him by the utility’s public relations manager, Lineo Mogasa.
The WASCO board had engaged a private law firm, Mei and Mei Attorneys, to investigate the matter. It found Mr. Thelejane not guilty of all seven charges. The developments were revealed by the WASCO board chairperson, Thabo Monyamane, at a press conference on Monday.
Mr. Monyamane stated, “We engaged the independent law firm to investigate the matter to finality within a period of three months.” He added that Mei and Mei Attorneys had conducted the investigation “with a high level of professionalism and confidence.”
During the investigation period, Thelejane was sent on leave to ensure a smooth process. Ms. Mogasa, his immediate supervisor, had reported the sexual harassment and intimidation at work to Minister of Natural Resources Mohlomi Moleko and the WASCO board on 15 November 2023.
Despite Mr. Thelejane being found innocent, Mr. Monyamane announced that he would not be returning to his job. “As we promised, we have investigated this case to finality. The investigations have been finalised, and a report released on 29 May 2024 found no wrongdoing in all seven incidents of sexual harassment allegations,” Mr. Monyamane said.
He further explained, “We requested that he part ways with WASCO because the public will no longer see him in the same light as a result of the sexual harassment scandal, and he agreed. I must say it was a mutual agreement reached on 2 June 2024.”
Falla Seboko continues to be the caretaker CEO of WASCO while the position awaits a permanent candidate. He was appointed when Mr. Thelejane went on leave in March 2024.
