ORPHANAGE STAFFER ACCUSED OF MOLESTING OVCS, SUSPENDED

PIGG’S PEAK – Bulembu Ministries is known to be a safe haven for children, especially the orphaned and vulnerable but some male graduates were allegedly sexually abused by a male employee.

Bulembu Ministries is a non-profit making organisation whose purpose is to restore hope, equip lives and build families through Christ-centred community care and community enterprise as part of its contribution to Bulembu which they purchased in 2006. There are about 350 orphans at Bulembu Ministries. Allegations have surfaced that an employee has been suspended after allegations of sexual misconduct on ‘young adults’ aged 18 and older. Bulembu Ministries is taking the matter so seriously that social workers have been roped in to assist with ongoing investigations. The matter is being talked about in hushed tones within the Bulembu community with some members of the community expressing shock at the allegations.

Some of the residents at the village, as well as the surrounding community, alleged they heard about the allegations but that they could not believe it. This publication is also in possession of a letter of suspension which was issued to the employee following the allegations. The letter is titled, ‘Suspension from employment and interdiction from entering Bulembu Campus’. It further states that Bulembu Ministries had received information which was credible on the matter. The letter advised the employee that he had been implicated in allegations which include, but not limited to sexual misconduct, theft, intimidation, breach of confidentiality and insubordination. The letter also further advises that investigations into the matter are being conducted. Due to the seriousness of the allegations, the employee was also informed that he was being suspended from employment with immediate effect. Not only has he been suspended from work but he has also been barred from entering Bulembu Ministries or its facilities without written permission to do so.

The letter further states; “You are interdicted from communicating with any of the ‘children’ under the care of Bulembu Ministries and, or members of staff at Bulembu Ministries”. To get more details on the matter, reporters from this publication also visited the community but residents there were reluctant to talk about the issue. “Everyone here knows about that matter but you should speak to the authorities,” said a resident. Vernon Puttkammer, the manager at the orphanage, was reached for comment last Tuesday but he asked that a questionnaire be sent to him so that he could also consult. He further added that; “Bulembu is shocked and saddened by these horrific allegations. Our primary objective is to protect the graduates in our young adult programme.” He also noted that the communications person at the village would respond in due course after a response had been compiled. On Thursday, Bianca Puttkammer, the Connect Manager for the organisation, responded to questions which had been forwarded via email..

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