Mid-Term Budget Speech: Why EFF says Godongwana is a pervert

The Economic Freedom Fighters on Wednesday attempted to upstage the Mid-Term Budget Speech by carrying placards saying, “Godongwana is a pervert”.

Party members gathered at the National Assembly and referred to Godonwana as an “incompetent minister who is also a pervert and bribed his way out of a GBV case”.

‘Godonwana a pervert’ – EFF

Calling Godgonwana a pervert is nothing new. In August, the EFF called for Godongwana to resign with immediate effect.

Party leader Malema said at the time: “The EFF calls for the immediate resignation of the minister of finance and a pervert”.

Malema added: “[Godongwana] has added sexual harassment on top of his complete failure of managing the South African economy”.

“The continued stay of Enoch Godongwana in office is a spit in the face of the 9 500 victims of rape who opened cases at police stations between April and June 2022.”

Case of sexual assault

Being branded a pervert stems back to a sexual assault case lodged in Skukuza, Mpumalanga in August. Godongwana, however, denied any and all claims.

At the time, the finance minister addressed the issue, saying he did know the plaintiff’s identity, and that he “in no way assaulted anyone”.

The plaintiff – an employee of Dee’s African Spa – said the assault took place in Godongwana’s hotel room during a private visit to the Kruger National Park.

Private massage

The Sunday Times reported back in August that the 23-year-old complainant said the couple booked a massage.

When the minister’s wife “went out to the shop”, Godongwana allegedly “touched her bumps” and directed her on “what to do on his body”.

When informed that the incident involved one of the hotel’s masseuses, Godongwana said he could provide proof that his wife, Thandiwe, was in the hotel room throughout the massage session.

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Tip, not bribe money

The minister also said he recalls giving the masseuse a monetary tip of R400 “to be split between her and her colleague”.

He said it was in no way intended as a bribe.

The EFF, however, doesn’t buy it. Malema said in August Godongwana’s refusal to resign is a “reflection that we are led by a government which has no regard for women”.

“A government of a finance minister who abuses women in their places of profession… If Godongwana had any respect for the office he holds and the women of this country, he would have long resigned”.

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