Mbuyiselo Botha is an accomplished gender activist whose great work in the field spanning many years speaks volumes. He is the epitome of a contemporary male activist who shuns chauvinism, misogyny and gender-based violence (GBV), and a role model I look up to whose work all men should strive to emulate.
It is always difficult to comprehend and accept when you hear disappointing news about the alleged misdeeds of a person you hold in high esteem. The immediate reaction is that of a denial and shock.
Against this background, it therefore came as a shock to me when I read the piece published in this newspaper last Wednesday by Botha in which he boldly and shamelessly asserted that: "Msimanga does not in fact say in many words 'I did not do it'." This is in relation to the sexual harassment allegation levelled against me by my former colleague Nkele Molapo.
It is not only sad, but disappointing, too, for a man of the stature of Botha to deliberately choose to be selective in presenting what he claims to be what I have said or didn’t say, in order to drive a particular narrative which he dismally failed to bring to a logical conclusion.
To help Botha, let me put a few things in perspective.
I have openly denied the allegation made against me, not only internally, but also externally in the media. I lodged a complaint of crimen injuria with the police against my accuser more than a week before she decided to open a case against me. This I did immediately after it had come to my attention that Molapo had sent a letter of complaint to my party, the DA, alleging that I had groped her six years ago.
I went on to say that the investigation must be done and the outcome be made public, even when she decided to withdraw her case with the party. I have committed to do a lie-detector test and offered that the results be made public. This is currently being coordinated by Radio 702 and anchor Azania Mosaka.
I would also encourage Botha to read the initial letter of complaint and begin to understand why the issue of timing comes into question and is relevant. Furthermore, I would like to request Botha to watch the interviews I conducted on SABC TV with Francis Herd and Pule Letshwiti of eTV/eNCA and read the Citizen newspaper article of Tuesday October 13 2020, specifically where Molapo is quoted as saying: "To be honest with you, we were okay. At the time I just saw it as a guy trying his luck and hitting on me. Molapo said the timing of her complaint came after continuous internal conflict and squabbles with Msimanga which she felt might be a result of her rejecting his advances."
I also did numerous radio interviews in which I strenuously and categorically denied the allegation against me.
Context and timing are important in this matter. What you might not know is that I had lodged a case against the accuser two years ago, which had been fought and lost by her, whose sanction she knew meant immediate expulsion from the party and as member of the Gauteng provincial legislature. I was the key witness against her.
I have always stood against GBV, stood with and for victims, marched for years with the accuser, participated in the drafting of the Sexual Harassment Policy for our party with the accuser, among others. I have not only spoken against GBV, but have acted to ensure that women and children are indeed protected and their dignity held up high. My own sons are taught to treasure and protect women and all those who are vulnerable in our society.
So, let me put it to you, again, Sir: I reject and deny, vehemently, categorically and wholeheartedly the allegation levelled against me by Molapo! I have subjected myself to the investigation both internally in the party and externally by the SAPS, and I'm confident that I will be vindicated by the authorities. I will neither allow yourself nor Molapo to tarnish my good name and reputation, which I have meticulously built over decades.
A simple Google search would have assisted you.
• Msimanga is DA caucus leader in the GP legislature. He writes in his personal capacity.
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