ANC 'concerned' over Kodwa allegations

The party briefed the media on its economic policies leading up to elections at Luthuli House on Sunday.

It emerged on Saturday that a woman wrote a letter to the ANC's deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte, alleging that she was raped by Kodwa at a private party in 2018.

“I want to point out that no organisation will not be worried with that, any organisations will be worried about that. But for God’s sake all! ANC members, like all other South Africans, are entitled to due process. One of the difficulties I have with the discourse is that something must happen to them. 

"That is the fundamental weakness of the discourse. We are not saying anybody must not happen anything,” said Godongwana.

In a statement released in Sunday, Kodwa denied claims - describing it as “grotesque” and a "dirty tricks campaign". 

The ANC’s Dakota Legoete said the victim was advised to lay a criminal charge.

"So far, the victim came to present her complaint at Luthuli House. She was advised by Luthuli House that we do not have the mandate to investigate, we do not have the mandate to prosecute. The best for her is to approach the law enforcement agencies to make sure that this matter is properly processed within the rule of law, is properly processed within the ambit of the constitution of the country, where both the rights of the victim and accused will be protected.”

The accusations against Kodwa comes hot on the heels of the acquittal of another spokesperson, Pule Mabe, of sexual harassment claims by a fellow ANC member. 

Mabe's personal assistant wrote a letter to Duarte in December last year, where she accused him of sexual harassment.

However, the ANC's grievance panel absolved Mabe while recommending that the ANC adopt a sexual harassment policy within the next three months.

He is set to return to work soon.