Enoch’s sex case dropped: cops in dark
NPA source says decision followed ‘marathon’ talks with investigating officers
The decision not to prosecute finance minister Enoch Godongwana for sexual assault was taken after “marathon meetings” between the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Mpumalanga police, says a source close to the investigation.
The source said the police and the NPA had disagreed on how to proceed after the 23year-old masseuse involved withdrew her complaint against the minister. This had strained relations between the police and the NPA. The NPA had not yet communicated its decision to the police.
The masseuse initially accused Godongwana of sexual assault during a massage session on August 9 at a luxury hotel in the Kruger National Park.
Godongwana, one of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s most trusted allies, declined to comment on the decision not to prosecute. He has previously denied the sexual assault accusation.
Provincial police spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala confirmed the police had not yet been told of the NPA’s decision not to prosecute Godongwana.
“The docket is still with the NPA and we are not aware that the NPA said it is not prosecuting. They will probably send the docket back to us on Monday, giving reasons,” he said.
Another source close to the case expressed disappointment that it had been dropped.
“We’ve put so many resources on the case and worked tirelessly. When they [NPA] sent the docket back to us two weeks ago, we made sure we obtained all the outstanding information the NPA said it needed.”
He said the NPA had asked for further statements from other witnesses, which had been obtained.
The masseuse’s grandmother said yesterday she had been stunned to hear the case had been withdrawn. The Sunday Times visited her at the home she shares with her granddaughter outside Bushbuckridge.
“I will have to find out more; she [the complainant] hasn’t told me about dropping the charge. I last spoke to the investigating officer when she came to take a statement and called later and said the case has been referred to the NPA.”
She said her granddaughter had not been able to return to work, and had been told by police she could only return once the case was concluded.
“Today is the first time she left the house for time out. My relative fetched her because she felt she would end up killing herself or being depressed if she’s locked up for too long.
“I asked them [her employer] if this will end soon because I need her to go back to work. We need the money. She’ sa breadwinner. Her employer arranged counselling for her and comes to see her sometimes,” she said.
The grandmother said the young woman had not been herself since the encounter that gave rise to the allegation against the minister, but was on the mend.
“Lately she’s coping better. She’s been through a lot. She would shut down during a conversation and you’d have to tap her and she’d suddenly come back. She wasn’t herself, but lately she at least responds when you talk to her,” she said.
The Sunday Times saw the complainant at a shopping centre in Hazyview and asked her about the case. She said she did not want to comment and that it was a “closed chapter”.
NPA regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said on Friday the decision followed “a thorough assessment of all available evidence and after consultations with the complainant, who expressly did not wish to proceed with the case despite being offered all the necessary support available to complainants in cases of this nature”.
The NPA said it remained committed to “vigorously prosecuting” sexual offences and cases of gender-based violence.
The accusation last month came at a critical time for Godongwana, who is due to deliver the medium-term budget policy statement next month.
There had been concerns about the repercussions for the economy if Godongwana were to be criminally charged and forced to step aside.