Some women in positions of authority are using their power to abuse male employees in the workplace.
This was revealed by prominent South African relationship therapist, motivational speaker and television personality Thabang Mashego during the second annual Build Him Men’s Symposium 2026 held on Friday at the Mavuso Exhibition and Trade Centre.
With the theme being ‘Mental Health for Men: Stress, Depression and Burnout,’ Mashego made the intervention during an interactive question-and-answer session, where discussions centred on the challenges men face both at home and in the workplace.
She said while significant efforts had been made to educate men about gender-based violence and abuse, there was an equally pressing need to educate women, particularly those in positions of authority, on the misuse of power.
According to Mashego, some female managers were abusing male subordinates by taking advantage of their senior positions, creating unhealthy and exploitative working environments.
Supporting Mashego’s sentiments, Sergeant Thobeka Mathunjwa from the Manzini Regional Police Headquarters said cases of abuse against men were real and should not be dismissed.
Presenting on ‘Understanding Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence in the Workplace,’ Mathunjwa said men experienced verbal, physical and sexual abuse, but many chose to remain silent due to fear of stigma.
He said verbal abuse often had devastating psychological consequences, including stress, depression and, in some instances, sexual dysfunction among male victims.
Mathunjwa observed that despite the country having only one female correctional facility, many men remained victims of abuse because they were generally reluctant to report offences committed against them.
He explained that many male victims internalised their trauma, which sometimes manifested as anger and violent behaviour.
“There is no shame in reporting abuse. Men must come forward and seek justice instead of suffering in silence,” he urged.
On the other hand, Mathunjwa also warned that workplace sexual exploitation constituted a criminal offence under the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence (SODV) Act of 2018.
He said according to the law, supervisors or managers who demanded sexual favours from subordinates in exchange for promotions or employment opportunities were committing rape, regardless of whether the perpetrator was male or female.
He stressed that men could also be victims of rape and sexual coercion, dismissing the misconception that only women could suffer such crimes.
“The belief that men cannot be raped is simply false. Men can also become victims, and they should report such cases to the police,” he said.
Mathunjwa further cautioned against blackmail involving intimate relationships. The police officer also reminded participants that the SODV Act protects vulnerable members of society. Mathunjwa also warned against engaging in sexual relationships with anyone under the age of 18, saying minors could not legally consent to sexual activity under the law.
He said many suspects attempted to defend themselves by claiming they were unaware of a survivor’s age, but ignorance of the law was not a valid defence.
He further cautioned that secretly spiking another person’s drink with the intention of obtaining sexual gratification was also a serious criminal offence that attracted severe legal consequences.
The symposium, organised by Semusa Networks under the theme ‘The Balanced Man: Mind, Body and Purpose,’ brought together men from various sectors to discuss leadership, healthy masculinity, mental health, personal growth and overall well-being.
