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No case opened against Kodwa as more focus expected on the rape claims

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Police say no case has been opened against African National Congress (ANC) Head of Communications in the Presidency and the party’s acting National Spokesperson Zizi Kodwa following allegations of rape against him.

On Saturday, the ANC Deputy Secretary-General Jessie Duarte told the media at Luthuli House that Kodwa’s accuser sent a letter to the ANC Secretary-General’s office and they had advised her to go to the police.

The allegations against Kodwa come days after the party’s National Spokesperson Pule Mabe was cleared of sexual harassment allegations made by his former personal assistant.

The media spotlight is expected to be firmly focused on the rape allegations against Kodwa this week, which is expected to create problems for the ANC with the upcoming 2019 general elections in May.

Meanwhile, political analyst Ralph Mathekga says allegations against Kodwa have the potential to divide the country.

“Kodwa is not just an ordinary person. He’s a powerful man within the ANC and I do think that he’s got a great future within his organisation in Communication. You know, you listen to him, he does make sense. The alleged victim as well, if they were going to stand on this, their lives will be difficult. That is why we are hoping this did not happen. It will turn people’s lives around. One only hopes that such kind of an incident did not take place, but if it did, there ought to be an investigation,” says Mathekga.

Political analyst Somadoda Fikeni says the African National Congress (ANC) needs to move swiftly whenever its members are accused of sexual harassment. Fikeni’s statement comes after the ANC confirmed that its Acting National Spokesperson Zizi Kodwa had been accused of rape.

Fikeni says the ANC cannot afford to wash its hands because violence against women is a sensitive and widespread issue.

“They ought to suspend the individual until his name is cleared. The law enforcement involvement is equally important because in the previous case of Pule Mabe, when their internal processes seemed to absolve, was a very negative clash. You do have people who will comment on the case. What is most (important) is to steer the course and do the right thing.”

Earlier on Sunday, Kodwa had released a statement denying rape allegations.

In the statement, Kodwa refers to these allegations as “extortion and blackmail” against him. He says these accusations are a “dirty tricks campaign”.

In the same statement, Kodwa says he is in the process of seeking legal advice in relation to a possible case of extortion or defamation.

ANC Acting spokesperson, Dakota Legoete says there is not much they can say about the allegations, as this is a case that should be opened with the police.

The ANC has admitted that the recent allegations of sexual misconduct against two of its senior members have the potential to tarnish its reputation.

Meanwhile, the SACP has warned against the use of allegations of gender-based violence in factional leadership battles

Watch Ralph Mathekga interview below:

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