Independent legal counsel will be appointed to conduct an external investigation into the veracity of the allegations against Albert Fritz.

Premier Alan Winde has provided an update on the processes being followed as Fritz has been suspended from his position as MEC of Community Safety.

While the Premier has not detailed the nature of the allegations, News 24 reports that Fritz and four senior officials have been suspended for their role in the alleged sexual assault of several women in the Community Safety Department.

The four officials had reportedly procured and groomed the women for Fritz.

Meanwhile, the toxic environment that has allowed for this kind of predatory behaviour to endure within the Community Safety portfolio in the provincial government must be addressed.

The director of the African Centre for Security and Intelligence Praxis, Eldred de Klerk says that the necessary processes were not followed when dealing with these allegations within the Community Safety Department.

He says that this also shows the poor protection of victims, particularly in a department that is supposed to lead in this practice.