Godongwana denies claims of sexual harassment

[RogerFraser]

Godongwana denies claims of sexual harassment

https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/20 ... 60403880-1



Enoch Godongwana.
Image: Freddy Mavunda/ File photo

Finance minister Enoch Godongwana on Saturday issued a statement saying a complaint of sexual harassment had been laid against him.

Godongwana said the case was opened a week after he visited Skukuza in the Kruger National Park, with his wife Thandisiwe.

“It has come to Minister Godongwa’s attention that a case of alleged sexual harassment against him has been opened in Skukuza, Mpumalanga,” his spokesperson Mfuneko Toyana said.

“The minister has been informed that the case was opened by an employee at Skukuza who was offering massage services to guests in their rooms.

“Minister Godongwana categorically denies this allegation.”

Toyana said that at the time of the alleged incident, the minister was in his room with his wife.

“I have always upheld and respected the rights and dignity of women, and this allegation goes against everything I stand for,” Godongwana said.

Godongwana said he had not yet received official communication from the police and cannot comment further.

Police spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala could not be reached for comment.

TimesLIVE

[Richprins]

What goes on there in Skukuza when VIPs visit?!?

[Richprins]

SAPS instructed to get statement from Godongwana on alleged sexual assault
NPA has ordered police to obtain finance minister’s version of events
By Graeme Hosken and Kgaugelo Masweneng - 18 August 2022 - 14:22


Finance minister Enoch Godongwana has been instructed to provide detectives investigating an allegation of sexual assault against him with a statement.

A case of sexual assault was opened against the minister by an Mpumalanga masseuse last week.



The minister, who has denied the allegations, is alleged to have assaulted the masseuse while on holiday with his wife in the Kruger National Park.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala confirmed to TimesLIVE that the investigating officer had received the docket back from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) with the instruction to take a warning statement from the minister.


He said the docket was given to the NPA on Monday and returned to the police on Thursday.

Asked when the minister would be required to provide the statement, Mohlala said: “The statement will be taken depending on the person’s availability. We will be giving him a fair and reasonable time. The investigating officer is in the process of making arrangements.

“As soon as we obtain the statement, we will return the docket to the prosecutor.

“A decision on whether any charges will be laid will be based on the recommendation of the prosecutor. That recommendation will be made once the accused has provided their statement.”

TimesLIVE

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/sout ... l-assault/

[Richprins]

Godongwana appears before ANC integrity commission over sexual assault allegations
18 August 2022 - 16:00
Kgothatso Madisa Journalist


Finance minister Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday appeared before the ANC's integrity commission over allegations of sexual assault.

A Kruger National Park masseuse laid charges with the police against him for allegedly “fondling” her.

The incident is alleged to have taken place last week when Godongwana and his wife Thandiwe were on holiday at the park.


Godongwana told TimesLIVE on Thursday he stood by his innocence during the commission meeting.

“I just 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.

It is expected that a faction of NEC members opposed to Godongwana will raise the matter at the meeting.

Should the commission complete its deliberations by then, the meeting could hear the recommendations.

Integrity commission head George Mashamba told TimesLIVE on Tuesday though the body had not called Godongwana to appear before it, he was expecting the matter to come up at its Wednesday meeting.


“There are always discussions about current developments and issues. Comrades from different parts of the country will tell us what [they are]. I have seen snippets [about the allegations], but beyond that I don't know, but I think it will crop up.”

The ANC has not commented on the allegations against Godongwana, but the women’s league has called for swift action.

ANC Johannesburg regional executive committee member and youth league fundraiser Thuthukile Zuma has called for Godongwana to vacate office.

“We ourselves have leaders who are accused of being perpetrators and we are saying to those leaders, we may love you as our leaders but as soon as you have an accusation of being a perpetrator of gender-based violence you must do the honourable thing, you must step aside,” she said.

“Not the factional step aside of the ANC, but you must step aside because you take the gender struggle seriously. So the likes of Enoch Godongwana must step aside because he must show, as a leader of society and a leader of the ANC, that he takes the gender struggle seriously.”

TimesLIVE

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/sout ... legations/

[RogerFraser]

They always believe they are innocent of anything and also believe by being elected in politics this makes them somehow superior to every other citizen . While there obviously needs to be a proper investigation it does seem that there is a lot of shenanigans happening with managers and politicians at Skukuza

[Richprins]

[Richprins]

No decision yet on prosecution in Godongwana harassment scandal, says NPA
30 August 2022 - 09:46
Kgaugelo Masweneng Reporter

Godongwana acknowledged offering the tip but said the money was for the masseuse and her colleague who had given him and his wife a massage the previous day.


The director of public prosecutions is still reviewing the docket into sexual harassment allegations against finance minister Enoch Godongwana.

A masseuse who accused Godongwana of sexual assault at a luxury lodge at the Kruger National Park told police he had started fondling her and “directing her what to do on his body” after his wife left the room to go shopping. He strenuously denies the allegation, saying he can prove his wife, Thandiwe, was in the room and no such assault took place.


Monica Nyuswa, Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, said the processes to make a decision were still unfolding.

“The director of public prosecutions will study the docket and evaluate the information contained in it. No decision has been taken yet.

“We received a docket last week Monday from the police,” said Nyuswa.
Ramaphosa won’t act on Godongwana: Legal process must run its course
President Cyril Ramaphosa has no intention to move on the sexual harassment allegations levelled against his senior cabinet minister Enoch Godongwana.


Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking through his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, said he was aware of the allegations and would wait for the law to take its course.

“Due legal process must run its course without any fear or favour. The president cannot be impulsive in his decision-making. His action must be informed by due legal process,” said Magwenya.

TimesLIVE

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/sout ... l-members/

[Lisbeth]

Seems to be her word against his.....and he is a minister

[Richprins]

This sort of thing wouldn't have happened if the silly hotel and spa weren't built, which we warned about...

[Lisbeth]