Winde albert Fritz

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – 16 November 2010: Western Cape Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz and tourism minister Alan Winde at a media briefing in Cape Town, South Africa on 16 November 2010. The briefing was about the arrest of a suspect in the murder case of British tourist Anni Dewani. Dewani’s body was found in Khayelitsha, a township in Cape Town, on 14 November 2010. Dewani and her husband Shrien were on honeymoon in South Africa when their shuttle service bus was hijacked. (Photo by Gallo Images/Foto24/Denzil Maregele)

Albert Fritz: Winde ‘strongly urges’ complainants to lay criminal charges

Winde said on Monday that he is awaiting the report into allegations of sexual misconduct by MEC Albert Fritz, who he suspended last week.

Winde albert Fritz

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – 16 November 2010: Western Cape Community Safety MEC Albert Fritz and tourism minister Alan Winde at a media briefing in Cape Town, South Africa on 16 November 2010. The briefing was about the arrest of a suspect in the murder case of British tourist Anni Dewani. Dewani’s body was found in Khayelitsha, a township in Cape Town, on 14 November 2010. Dewani and her husband Shrien were on honeymoon in South Africa when their shuttle service bus was hijacked. (Photo by Gallo Images/Foto24/Denzil Maregele)

Western Cape Premier Alan WInde has said on Monday that an initial report into allegations of sexual misconduct committed by DA interim leader and Provincial MEC for Safety and Security Albert Fritz will land on his desk “imminently”, adding that he strongly urges the complainants to file criminal charges against Fritz.

Winde maintained that the Western Cape Government’s approach to the sordid affair will remain in line with the best interests of the numerous complainants who have accused Fritz of inappropriate behaviour. Fritz was suspended by both the Western Cape Government and the Democratic Alliance (DA) lat week after the reports emerged. 

Winde awaiting investigation report in Fritz sexual abuse allegations

In a statement published on Monday, Winde outlined the situation in detail, explaining that he is bound by his duties as Premier to wait for the independent investigation he has commissioned to be completed before he can proceed. He also insists that he will ensure at all times that the victims of the alleged assault are given the protection they require. 

“These accounts were given to me in confidence, and I promised at the time to not publicise the nature of the allegations,” said Winde. 

“Having had a subsequent discussion with Advocate Jennifer Williams when I handed the matter over to her for her investigation, and having first obtained the permission of the complainants, I am now able to confirm that those allegations relate to sexual misconduct.”

Winde added that he will also ensure that Fritz is given the opportunity to state his version of events before further action is taken. 

Winde ‘may yet lay criminal charges against Albert Fritz’ 

Winde has previously alluded to the possibility that he himself may lay criminal charges against Fritz should the complainants decide not to, but said on Monday that it would be “completely improper, and in fact, incredibly disrespectful to [the victims] and their agency for him to proceed without their “express permission”.

“As the South African Police Services have made clear, in order to investigate the matter, they need a charge to be laid by one of the complainants. I have advised all the complainants that this can be done, and that they will be supported in doing so. The SAPS have also encouraged the same publicly,” said Winde. 

“This was also echoed to me in my meeting with the Provincial Police Commissioner, Tembekile Phatekile today, who indicated a direct channel to lay charges will be created for the complainants if they decide to. I welcome this proactive support from the SAPS.”

He added that in spite of this position, he “has not ruled out laying charges personally, should there be a foundation for [Winde] to do so on the basis of the content of the independent investigator’s report”. 

“I will take legal advice once the report is received and will not hesitate to do so in that event,” he said. 

Complainants referred to NGO for support  

Winde said that he will create a “dedicated channel for first-hand submissions pertaining to Minister Fritz” for more people who may have been targeted so that the independent investigator – Advocate Jennifer Williams – may consider the information.

“Again, I strongly encourage all complainants to please lay charges at the SAPS, so that they, together with the National Prosecuting Authority, can make a decision on steps they need to take under the law,” he said. 

Winde said that his government has also referred all complainants to an NGO dedicated to helping and assisting victims of sexual misconduct, “having received confirmation from such NGO that this referral would be appropriate and may proceed”. 

“It is important that the complainants have an independent support system in place. This includes support in taking up the matter with the police on a criminal or civil basis,” he said. 

For any person who has experienced sexual misconduct, the following channels exist to report it, and I urge all victims to please stand up and speak out so that we can end the scourge of GBV:

  • Stop Gender Violence helpline: 0800 150 150
  • SAPS: 08600 10111
  • Childline: 116
  • Gender-Based Violence Command Centre: 0800 428 428
  • LifeLine 24-hour crisis helpline: 021 461 1111
  • Should you require support from the Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust counselling lines, you can call:
  • Observatory: 021 447 9762
  • Athlone: 021 633 9229
  • Khayelitsha: 021 361 9085