Miss SA finalist Bridgette Jones ‘cleared’ of bullying claims

Miss South Africa (Miss SA) finalist Bridgitte Jones has been “cleared” of bullying allegations, her former company said in a statement this week.

This comes after her former colleague, Kayla Jenecker, accused the woman of being a “workplace bully”, leading to an internal disciplinary hearing.

Jones is one of ten finalists for the title at the crowning ceremony, which will take place on Saturday, September 25.

BRIDGETTE JONES ‘INNOCENT’ OF BULLYING CLAIMS

This week, Bridgitte Jones’s former employer, the  South African Medical and Education Foundation (SAME Foundation), cleared her of bullying allegations made by her colleague, Kayla Jenecker.

Relaying the comments, Miss SA organisers said: “The SAME Foundation has formally confirmed that the allegations are false.

“In an official statement, the foundation’s chief executive officer categorically denied that any bullying or harassment took place during the finalist’s employment.

“On the contrary, she was consistently described as professional, respectful, and exemplary in her conduct.”

Earlier this month, the pageant vowed to investigate the claims, which were made in a series of TikTok videos.

“The Miss South Africa Organisation does not condone bullying or harassment in any form. We remain steadfast in our expectation that all contestants uphold the values of integrity, respect, and accountability. These values are central to the Miss South Africa Organisation,” it said in a statement.

NOT THE FIRST MISS SA FINALIST ‘BULLY’ ALLEGATIONS

Bridgette Jones is not the first Miss SA finalist to be accused of being a bully.

In 2023, former Top 10 finalist Levern José quit the pageant after being branded a “high school bully”.

After vowing to apologise to all the women she had hurt,  she added: “All forms of abuse and bullying are unacceptable and have no place in our society.

“Please know that I am determined to work against bullying and to bring about wider awareness about this issue”.