HARARE - A senior South African diplomat who allegedly seriously assaulted a woman staffer at the SA Embassy in Harare, has been charged with misconduct.

In written reply to a parliamentary question, International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said disciplinary action against Mlulami Singapi, political counsellor and second in charge at the Embassy, had been initiated.

"Mr Singapi was suspended pending the outcome of the investigation," she said.

The investigation found there was an altercation between Lyn de Jong, head of corporate services at the Embassy, and Singapi, and that De Jong was "injured in the process".

It was recommended that Singapi be charged with misconduct, which had been done, Nkoane-Mashabane said.

The incident reportedly happened on May 7 this year.

Shortly thereafter, Public Service Association deputy general manager Manie de Clercq said De Jong laid a charge of assault at the Avondale station of the Zimbabwe Republican Police in Harare against Singapi on May 8.

She was allegedly assaulted for several minutes in her office at the Embassy.

"Four of Ms de Jong's colleagues, responding to her screams, managed to pull Singapi away from her where she was lying on the floor," De Clercq said at the time.

"Once in the passage, he continued to threaten her by shouting: 'I am not done with you, I am going to finish you off'."

She apparently suffered several injuries, including a swollen face and eyes, ears and bruises on her back and chest.

She was allegedly also assaulted by Singapi in June 2009.

De Clercq said she decided not to take action against him then and that it was not as serious as the latest incident.

"[She] was convinced by the then department of foreign affairs to drop the case and 'make peace and in the interest of the mission  to resolve the matter quietly'."

De Clercq said the attack was apparently caused by a "whistleblowing" incident.

"De Jong and some of her colleagues were not happy with his conduct."

By SAPA