Minister Godongwana has denied the allegations levelled against him – Photo: EFF / Twitter
Minister Godongwana has denied the allegations levelled against him – Photo: EFF / Twitter
It’s not every day that Parliamentary business is held-up by the Finance Minister being called a pervert. But, this is South Africa. Anything goes. Enoch Godongwana was briefly prevented from delivering the Mid-Term Budget Speech on Wednesday, due to a placard protest.
Placard protest from EFF holds-up Budget Speech
EFF members stood up during the proceedings, calling out a myriad of issues with their paper signs. Complaints about youth unemployment, economic turmoil, and high levels of poverty were all visible. However, there was one point that was driven home more than others…
♦️Must Watch♦️
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) October 26, 2022
The EFF MPs at the National Assembly ahead of the Midterm Budget Statement which will be presented by the incompetent Minster of Finance who is also a pervert that bribed his way out of a GBV Case pic.twitter.com/UnHxrNusSC
Enoch Godongwana confronted by accusations
Terms such as ‘pervert’, ‘sexual delinquent’, and ‘GBV abuser’ were directed towards Mr. Godongwana. Eventually, the House Speaker had to step-in, and the protest was eventually quelled. The Finance Minister then got on with the rest of his Budget Speech.
Why is Minister Godongwana being called a pervert by the EFF?
Godongwana has been embroiled in a sexual assault scandal where he allegedly harassed a masseuse. The incident allegedly happened at a Kruger National Park hotel, while the Finance Minister was on vacation earlier this year.
Godongwana admits that he was indeed at the Kruger National Park area on 9 August when the alleged incident happened. But he emphasised that in no way or at any moment did he touch, sexually harass or assault anyone. In fact, he claims to ‘not even know’ the complainant.
However, the top ANC figure will not face prosecution. The DPP in Mpumalanga, Advocate Nkebe Kanyane, declined to advance the case in the sexual assault matter against Godongwana. This, after an assessment of all the available evidence and after consultations with the complaint.
