Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana Caught in Awkward Parliament Moment, SA Reacts

• Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana was caught in an awkward moment during a lively parliamentary session that quickly went viral
• The incident, involving a wardrobe mishap and jokes from MPs, drew laughter in the chamber and widespread attention online
• South Africans reacted with a mix of sympathy, humour and criticism, with some questioning the leadership fitness of older parliamentarians

CAPE TOWN — An awkward moment involving Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has gone viral after unfolding during a lively parliamentary session on 24 March 2026.

The incident, which quickly spread across social media, has drawn widespread reactions from South Africans, ranging from sympathy to criticism.

What happened?

The incident allegedly occurred during a spirited sitting where MPs were dressed in military camouflage. Godongwana, seated on the front bench, appeared unaware of a wardrobe mishap until one MP remarked,

“We are sitting here and being abused by something hanging out of his pants.”

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The comment triggered laughter across the chamber, with another MP joking,

“It’s very short, honourable minister,” adding to the commotion.

Despite the laughter, the 68-year-old minister handled the situation calmly. Godongwana, who has led the finance portfolio since 2021, adjusted himself without making a scene as proceedings continued.

Viral moment divides South Africans

The moment quickly made its way online, where it went viral and sparked a wave of reactions. Many South Africans expressed sympathy for the minister over the embarrassing incident, while others responded with humour, sharing jokes and memes.

However, some social media users took a more critical stance, questioning leadership fitness, especially over the minister's advanced age.

See video here:

Social media reactions

@dramadelinquent said:

"70 and 80-year-old people are generally unemployable due to physical and mental decline, but for some reason, we allow them to run the entire country,"

@Sizzle_Diva stated:

"They are old, and they must retire. This is embarrassing."

@ThuliSaul_commented:

"A man embarrassing another man and insulting his manhood. Men are generally embarrassing but this is shocking. Reddy is very petty."

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@_Oreo_M wrote:

"They're doing what old people do. Forgetting."

@david_modisha remarked:

"ANC doesn’t even care about their own Ministers. How can you not advise the man before podium?"

Articles on the Finance Minister

• The Economic Freedom Fighters rejected the Finance Minister's fuel levy increase, which he announced during the budget speech he delivered on 21 May 2025.
• The Western Cape High Court set aside the VAT hike and ordered that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana table a new budget.
• Enoch Godongwana said he will not be stepping down from his post as Minister of Finance, despite the numerous calls for him to do so over his handling of the budget.

Previously, Briefly News reported that the MK Party filed a motion of no confidence against Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana after he announced that the planned Value-Added Tax (VAT) increase would be scrapped. The party said it filed the motion because of Godongwana's failure to provide clarity and leadership on the VAT issue. The party said Godongwana's decision to ignore advice to introduce wealth taxes and raise luxury consumption taxes demonstrated his negligence towards the government's National Development Plan goals for job creation and economic productivity.

Source: Briefly News