The finance minister denied the allegations that surfaced over the weekend.
FILE: Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana February 23, 2022 Photo: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Finance Minister Enoch Gadongwana over sexual harassment allegations.
Godongwana denied the allegations after they surfaced last weekend.
A massage therapist from the Kruger National Park claimed that the minister had been sexually assaulted.
The EFF said that if the government respects women, the minister accused of sexual assault should be fired.
Gadongwana said he had not received any information from the police about any charges related to the sexual assault allegations against him.
In a statement released on Saturday, the minister said he was aware that a case of sexual harassment had been filed against him.
“The minister was informed that the case was initiated by an employee of Skukuza, who offered massage services to guests in the rooms,” the report says.
Gadongwana also denied the claims, saying he was with his wife at the time of the alleged incident.
The minister now says he will not discuss the matter any further. “The Minister of Finance categorically denies allegations of sexual harassment in an article circulating on social media,” said his spokeswoman, Mfuneka Toyana.
“Furthermore, Mr. Godongwana has not received any formal complaint or reports from the police. It is for this reason that he will refrain from any further comment or discussion on the matter until such time as he deems appropriate, having due regard to the serious and sensitive nature of the alleged incident,” Toyana said.
