Finance minister Enoch Godongwana has denied allegations of sexual assault against him by an employee in the Kruger National Park.
The masseuse opened a case at the Skukuza police station in Mpumalanga.
According to a statement released by the minister’s spokesperson, Mfuneko Toyana, the case against the minister was opened almost a week after Godongwana concluded his private visit to Skukuza in the Kruger National Park.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson told Business Day “the president is aware of the allegations” and that “due processes must now be allowed to continue”.
It is understood that Mpumalanga police on Monday morning conducted interviews with all workers who were present at the hotel.
SA Police Service provincial spokesperson for Mpumalanga, Brig Selvy Mohlala, said there is an assault case which has been registered at Skukuza. “The next step is to collect all the statements and then submit the docket for a decision to prosecute or not,” he said.
Godongwana is a senior cabinet member and is considered a key ally of Ramaphosa, who is expected to seek a second term at the ANC’s internal leadership contest in December. He has been finance minister since August 2021 and is scheduled to present his second medium-term budget policy statement in October.
The statement said Godongwana was informed that the case was opened by an employee at Skukuza.
“I have always upheld and respected the rights and dignity of women, and this allegation goes against everything I stand for,” Godongwana said.
Toyana said that at the time of the alleged incident, Godongwana was in his room with his wife, and said “there is no basis for the allegations”.
Toyana said the minister had not yet received official communication from the police and could not comment further.
Updated: August 15 2022
This article has been updated with additional information.
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