By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Finance minister Enoch Godongwana plans to continue exercising his duties after the police informed him that a criminal complaint of sexual assault has been made against him.
Godongwana reiterated his denial of the allegation in a statement Thursday. He also denied an additional assertion that he attempted to silence the complainant by bribing her.
“While I serve as minister of finance at the privilege of President Cyril Ramaphosa, I wish to state that I personally intend on continuing with executing my duties by focusing on the critical tasks of revitalizing our economy and protecting the fiscus,” Godongwana said.
Godongwana, who was named finance minister in August last year, has been accused of sexual harassment by an employee at the Kruger National Park who was offering massage services to guests in their rooms. The minister’s office issued a statement denying the allegation on August 13, a stance that he reiterated to the police.
“I repeated my previous assertion, that I in no way or at any time inappropriately touched, sexually harassed, or assaulted anyone,” he said.
He added, “I take the allegations very seriously. I do not subscribe to the abuse of women. It is terrible and hurtful for any woman to be on the receiving end of such a traumatic experience.
Godongwana said he had appeared before the ANC’s integrity commission, at his request, on Wednesday.
“I made my presentation and they will decide; they are not waiting for me to decide. It’s my submission that, as far as I’m concerned, I think I’m innocent,” he said.
The commission will deliberate and make recommendations to the national executive committee (NEC). If they believe Godongwana has a case to answer, it may recommend that he step aside as a member of the NEC and as finance minister.
The NEC is expected to meet on Tuesday next week to discuss proposed amendments to the party’s constitution before the December elective conference and Godongwana’s saga is expected to be raised.
The ANC Women’s League called on law enforcement to deal with the case swiftly.
“Our country has increasingly become an unsafe place for women. It is unacceptable that every day there are reports of acts of gender-based violence and femicide being committed against women,” it said.
“We encourage and support all victims of gender-based violence to speak out and take necessary legal action.”