The country’s communications watchdog – the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA)- announced late on Wednesday that Pakamile Pongwana has agreed to step down as a CEO.
On July 6, ICASA announced that Pongwana was placed on precautionary suspension pending an internal disciplinary process.
“The Council of the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) notifies all stakeholders and the media of its mutual separation with the chief executive officer, Pakamile Pongwana,” said ICASA in a statement.
The communications watchdog added that its chief operations officer, Willington Ngwepe, will continue serving as the acting CEO until such time a permanent CEO is employed.
“The council wishes Pongwana well in his future endeavours,” reads the Council statement without disclosing the reasons that led to mutual separation agreement.
Pongwana’s departure follows allegations of sexual harassment.
Last month, however, City Press newspaper revealed that two legal opinions drafted in June found enough grounds for the board to charge him and subject him to a disciplinary hearing.
The reports, in part, found that Pongwana should be subjected to a hearing and charged with sexual harassment for having allegedly abused his authority as CEO “by squeezing his subordinate’s buttocks and having passed comments and/or innuendos of a sexual nature to a fellow employee”.
It also concluded that he displayed gross insolence and insubordination, which are dismissible offences as they constitute misconduct. This related to the “disrespectful, condescending, and aggressive” manner he treated Icasa council members.
