The African National Congress’s (ANC) parliamentary caucus has declined comment on sexual-harassment allegations against its chief whip, Mbulelo Goniwe.
The caucus said in a statement on Tuesday it has noted the allegations in the media ”pertaining to the alleged sexual harassment of an employee of the caucus support services by the chief whip of the organisation”.
”We would like to state that no formal complaint pertaining to this matter has been brought to the attention of the caucus and it is therefore in no position to pronounce itself at this stage.
”The media is in the interim requested to direct all enquiries on this matter to the office of the ANC secretary general,” it said.
On Monday, the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) called for Goniwe’s immediate suspension pending investigation of the allegations.
The league’s national working committee said in a statement it had received a comprehensive report from the ANC women’s caucus in Parliament regarding the allegations against Goniwe.
The league viewed these allegations as very serious, taking into account the road South Africa had traversed in entrenching women’s rights.
”We therefore condemn in the strongest possible terms any act of sexual harassment and any abuse of office for sexual or any benefit. We call for the immediate suspension of the ANC chief whip in the National Assembly pending investigations.
”We will continue to respect his right of presumed innocent unless proven otherwise by the due process.
”We also view allegations of threats against the victim in a very serious light; we call for the protection and support of the victim for being brave in bringing forward these allegations,” the ANCWL said.
Weekend media reports said Goniwe had been accused of sexually harassing a 21-year-old administration assistant. He was alleged to have asked the woman to have sex with him after she had helped serve dinner to guests at his home on October 25.
The woman told the Sunday Times that she had reported the incident to a senior party official and had since received threatening phone calls demanding she drop her complaint. — Sapa