News24 reports that Kodwa said in a statement released Sunday morning that the allegations were made in a letter "replete with false accusations" and described it as a "feeble yet dangerous attempt at political blackmail and manipulation".

This after ANC deputy secretary general, Jessie Duarte, confirmed to journalists on Saturday evening that a rape complaint had been sent in a letter to the office of the secretary general against Kodwa.

"Today, after days what appears to be the height of a dirty tricks campaign, I wish to expose its details.

"On February 14, 2019, I was alerted by the Secretary General of the ANC that he had received a letter from a woman claiming [what] I view as the most grotesque attack on me and my reputation.

"In a letter replete with false accusations, I am accused of rape, sexual assault and even drugging two women.

"At the outset, I deny these accusations with the contempt they deserve."

On Saturday, Duarte said the party advised the complainant that she needed to go to the criminal justice system with her complaint.

"It's a bit different where there is a difficulty between staff and membership. This is something that in our understanding happened in a private party setting, of course that's the allegation," she stressed.

The ANC therefore could not probe the facts further, with Duarte saying: "That is the work of the criminal justice system".

News24