By: Natasha Archary
As calls for Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana to step aside intensifies, the sexual assault allegations against him may be brought before the ANC Integrity Commission.
This comes after the Not In My Name movement called for the Minister to vacate his office.
Godongwana has been accused of sexually assaulting a masseuse at the Kruger National Park, whilst on holiday with his wife.
His alleged victim has laid charges against the Finance Minister for what is being described as him “fondling her.”
However, the EFF in a statement detailed that Godongwana allegedly violated the masseuse by fingering her.
While Godongwana has denied the allegations, due to the severity of the charges, his fate may be decided by the ANC Integrity Commission.
Head of the commission, George Mashamba said the matter will be discussed at its next meeting on Wednesday, 24 August.
The commission meets every week on new developments and issues within the ruling party.
But the Not In My Name movement says the minister should step aside to show that he understands the severity of the claims.
“What we’re saying is that although the minister has categorically denied the allegations, we’re appealing to him to take these accusations seriously and because of the alarming rate of gender-based violence in South Africa, to lead by example.
Until such time as the minister is acquitted of these charges, we’re saying he should vacate his office.”
Themba Masango, spokesperson from Not In My Name
Calls for Godongwana to step aside have also been made by Thuthukile Zuma, the daughter of former president Jacob Zuma.
Thuthukile who is the ANC Youth League National Fund Raiser says the minister needs to take the gender struggle seriously.
“We ourselves have leaders who have been accused of being perpetrators and we are saying to these leaders that we might love you 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. Not the factional step-aside of the ANC, but you must step aside because you take the gender struggle seriously.”
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