Siphon Masombuka

Siphon Masombuka

The Pretoria high court yesterday ordered that former Polokwane municipal manager Sam Rampedi, who is now head of the department of local government and housing, should pay Thato Mocumie R90000 in damages for sexual harassment.

Mocumie, the municipality's communications manager, had claimed R780000 in damages from Rampedi for sexually harassing her between August 2004 and April 2005.

Rampedi allegedly told Mocumie that "she belonged to him" and suggested that they have an affair - though he is married and knew that she was engaged.

Mocumie claimed that Rampedi accused her of poor work performance after she rejected his advances.

Rampedi had, on the other hand, instituted a counterclaim of R750000, which was dismissed with costs by Judge L Sapire.

Rampedi was also ordered to pay Mocumie's legal costs and the fees of experts who testified on her behalf.

Mocumie said she was relieved that she had been vindicated.

Rampedi told Sowetan he would appeal.

"I am going to study the judgment and, on the basis of facts, I am going to appeal the judgment," he said.