Cape Town - The Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has declined representations made by Cape Town Traffic Chief, Farrel Payne and the case has now been postponed until November 19 for a pre-trial conference at the Cape Town Regional Court.
Payne had previously made unsuccessful representations to the senior public prosecutor which were then referred to the DPP.
Payne is charged with sexual assault, crimen injuria and attempting to commit a sex act in October 2020.
He is out on R5 000 bail.
Allegations of improper conduct and sexual harassment against Payne surfaced when a woman employed in his office spoke out.
The woman spoke about an incident where Payne allegedly made various inappropriate remarks towards her and the “last straw” was when he allegedly grabbed her jacket in the work corridor on September 11, last year.
Last year the complainant in the matter, was reportedly placed on leave by her psychiatrist shortly after she reported the matter. She said she was so traumatised that she was afraid to return to work.
In June this year there was an uproar in the legislature when it was revealed that despite being charged and an internal disciplinary process and investigation, Payne was still at his post
The province said at the time that the investigation had found there was “no prima facie evidence to institute formal disciplinary action” against Payne.