The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Tuesday called for the immediate resignation of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, saying his continued stay in office spits in the face of the victims of rape.

Godongwana is accused of sexually assaulting a masseuse at a Kruger National Park hotel, while on vacation earlier this month.

He has since denied the allegations, claiming they were a smear campaign "fashioned to achieve narrow and selfish political ends".

The EFF labelled Godongwana “a pervert”.

“The continued stay of Enoch Godongwana in office, is a spit in the face of the 9 516 victims of rape, who opened cases at police stations between April and June 2022. It is also a reflection that we are led by a government which has no regard for women,” said EFF president Julius Malema.

Malema went on to say, “It is a government of a Finance Minister who abuses women in their places of profession. It is a government of a President who tortures a female domestic worker, because of his uncontrollable greed.”

He said if Godongwana had any respect for the Office he holds, and women in South Africa, he would have resigned long ago.

Malema accused the Finance Minister of drawing “inspiration from his criminal President”, who Malema says has not shown accountability.

Last week President Cyril Ramaphosa said he would not act impulsively over the sexual assault allegations levelled against Godongwana.

The EFF said Godongwana has failed to manage the South African economy.

“One other thing about Enoch he is in and out of hospital, he is a very sickly Minister who is not available. I don’t understand why he insists on wanting to be a Minister of Finance despite the fact that he knows that his [poor] health [is not good] for such a serious ministry that is highly involved, which requires young and energetic visionary Ministers who are in good health. Enoch does not meet any requirement with this latest allegation to be a Minister of Finance,” said Malema.

CRIME

Meanwhile, the EFF said it was disturbed by the high levels of crime afflicting the country, particularly mass shootings and tavern deaths, as well as disturbing levels of murder and the gang rape of eight women in Krugersdorp.

“The gang rapes in Krugersdorp are a sign of a country of men who have lost their sense of morality. There is no level of poverty, unemployment, or state of living that can inspire one to rape. There is a war against the women of this country, and it can no longer be ignored,” Malema said.

He added that the latest quarterly crime statistics, which revealed that there had been 6 424 murders between April and June 2022, confirmed to the EFF that the country is a nation that is engaging in a war.

Malema claimed that the deaths reported in the quarterly crime stats are higher than the number of deaths in the war between Russia and Ukraine and showed that citizens are being killed at an intolerable rate in communities.

PHALA PHALA

Meanwhile, the EFF reaffirmed its stance on the need to hold Ramaphosa accountable for the alleged crimes committed on the President’s Phala Phala farm.

Malema said it was undeniable that the popular media, political analysts and journalists, had dedicated themselves to efforts to downplay and defend Ramaphosa.

“As the third largest political party represented in the Parliament of South Africa, the EFF will also explore and participate in legislative and judicial measures to hold Ramaphosa accountable,” he said.

The party called on all “principled” members of the opposition, and civil society, to join in ensuring that “Ramaphosa does not get away with the crimes he has committed”.