Mbabane: With the highest unemployment rate in Eswatini, impoverished and vulnerable Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross volunteers, Piggs Peak branch have been tricked into sexual exploitation by their immediate boss in exchange for stipends they get from voluntary work and workshops.
The senior officer at Baphalali Red Cross won’t be named for now for ethical reason. The volunteers have been used by their sex pervert boss to sexually satisfy himself in return to be selected for voluntary jobs and attending workshops, where they get compensated for their services.
Red Cross is a non-profit making organization, which its mandate is to prevent and alleviate human suffering during wars, disasters, and everyday emergencies. It helps and support vulnerable people but the power drunk boss is alleged to be doing the opposite.
Many female volunteers alleges that they have been victims of sexual abuse as they desperately needed the little money they get from attending the workshops and the casual voluntary jobs. Refusing the boss’ sexual advances limits chances of being elected. The volunteers claim that it has become a norm in the Piggs Peak branch to sleep with the boss, in fear of victimization and losing favors.
*Thuli Shongwe*, not her real name, who fell victim to the horny boss said she joined to be a volunteer after a friend told her about the job opportunities that would sometimes avail. *Shongwe said as a young, married and unemployed mother of two kids, was tempted to sleep with the said officer because of the dire financial situation at home. She alleges that the boss promised her a better future at Red Cross and beyond.
“I have been a volunteer for years and most of the time I would miss out on the opportunities because at first I refused to sleep with him. I ended up falling for his trap as he persisted with his proposal, even when I told him that I was married. But once he sleeps with you, he jumps for another victim.” The ashamed sounding Shongwe narrated.
Report
*Shongwe added that she tried to report the abuse to the headquarters in Mbabane but she was asked come to the offices in person, which she claims was hard for her to do, as she reported in anonymity. She mentioned that her marital status was another stumbling block that made her not to go to headquarters as her husband would suspect her.
Another victim *Nomsa Magagula*, not her real name said she been repeatedly approached by the boss but refused, thus she has been left out of many job call ups and workshops.
“Everybody knows that there are no jobs in the country, so some volunteers sleep with him in return for favours as resistance lead to not being called up for the jobs and workshops. Sometimes you receive harsh treatment for refusing to sleep with the him.” *Nomsa* said.
Confess
Independent News approached the alleged perpetrator about the allegations, where he claims that he only flirts with most girls. He says most of the girls throw themselves to him expecting to get favors from him. He later confessed to have only dated one lady as the reporter showed him evidence of his dirty linen.
“I know who sent you here but all these allegations are not true except for one lady. I’m a jolly person naturally, so maybe they mistake that as a love proposal. I treat everybody equally and fairly.” Narrated the shaking boss.
Nontobeko Dlamini,Public Relations Officer for Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross denied knowledge of such allegations but mentioned that the organisation will dig deep to find the truth of the matter. Dlamini further mentioned that the organization draws a zero-tolerance line to such bad behavior and have a “Do No Harm” principle.
“It develops mistrust and damages the image of the organization. It may cause irreparable harm on staff, partnership, stakeholders and even person in need.” Dlamini said
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