Johannesburg: Constitutional Court Chief Justice Mandisa Maya has announced the introduction of a Sexual Harassment Policy for the South African Judiciary.
According to South African Government News Agency, the policy is aimed at ‘safeguarding the integrity of the courts and protecting the dignity of all who serve within them’. Key principles of the policy include zero tolerance for sexual harassment by or against any judicial officer, staff member, or individual engaging with the Judiciary. It sets out clear, confidential, and fair procedures for reporting and addressing complaints, with protections against retaliation. The policy emphasizes accountability, with disciplinary consequences for offenders, and aims to ensure a safe and respectful workplace, free from discrimination and intimidation.
‘This policy reiterates the Judiciary’s unwavering commitment to the Constitutional values of human dignity, equality, and justice, and sends a clear message: sexual harassment has no place in the halls of justice,’ the statement from the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) said. It further elaborated on the profound responsibility Judges and Magistrates have to uphold the highest standards of integrity, as demanded by the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct and South Africa’s Judicial Codes of Conduct. The OCJ highlighted that sexual harassment within the Judiciary not only constitutes a personal violation but also undermines the rule of law, eroding public trust and betraying the principles the institution is meant to uphold.
The policy also aims to entrench a culture of accountability and respect within the Judiciary. Chief Justice Maya described the policy as a ‘necessary and urgent intervention’, stating, ‘The Judiciary cannot dispense justice to society if it does not first ensure it within its own ranks. Sexual harassment is a gross abuse of power, a denial of equality, and a stain on the legitimacy of the courts. We are going to tackle it head on and this Policy will be a very useful mechanism in that battle.’ She emphasized that the policy is not merely a document but a covenant with the people of South Africa, underscoring the need for the Judiciary to lead by example.
For further details, the policy can be accessed on the Judiciary’s official website.