THE ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) says it has noted with grave concern the sexual assault claims levelled against Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and called on law enforcement agencies to deal with the case swiftly.
The women’s league has also urged the ANC to use its internal processes such as the party’s Integrity Commission to deal with the matter.
“We call on the law enforcement to deal with the case swiftly and with utmost effectiveness as possible,” said the league’s spokesperson, Maropene Ramokgopa, in a statement.
“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.”
Ramokgopa also said South Africa should never normalise violence against women and children.
“In South Africa, gender-based violence – which encompasses any kind of violence (physical, sexual, emotional and psychological) against women and children – is widely spread and an issue of serious concern,” said Ramokgopha.
“But all of these represent a violation of human dignity and human rights and subsequently have lasting consequences.”
The ANC’s integrity commission is expected to discuss the sexual assault allegation levelled against Godongwana on Wednesday.
Godongwana was accused of sexually assaulting a massage therapist at the Kruger National Park while he was on holiday with his wife.
The assault case opened against the minster was confirmed by the Mpumalanga police.
The minister has denied the allegations and claimed that he was with his wife at the time of the alleged incident.
Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has called for Godongwana to be immediately removed from office in the wake of sexual harassment allegations.
The red berets have threatened to prevent the minister from addressing any public meetings while he faced these claims.
“Enoch Godongwana must know that he will not have peace as a minister. He will not address any public meeting,” the EFF said in a statement.
“He must expect disruptions. GBVF must be consciously and unapologetically disrupted and it is the EFF who will do so.”
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