Photo: GCIS / Flickr
Photo: GCIS / Flickr
The office of Deputy President David Mabuza has hit out at Newzroom Afrika, after the broadcaster made a series of claims against the public official. In a scathing retort published on Thursday, Mabuza’s representatives said he was tje victim of ‘imaginary conspiracies’, allegedly pushed by their anchor and veteran journalist, Xoli Mngambi.
David Mabuza lashes out at Newzroom Afrika
While on air, Mngambi accused the Deputy President of failing to respond to a crisis in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga. Issues with policing and lapsed construction projects have caused distress across the province, and some people have pointed fingers at Mabuza and the provincial administration he was part of a few years back.
However, this has somewhat irked the DP, and a stern statement was issued earlier today. The tirade slams Mngambi for making ‘false allegations’, ‘sharing conspiracies’, and harbouring ‘nefarious intentions’:
“At the end of the show, whose focus was on purported collapse of policing and disruption of construction projects in eMalahleni, Xoli Mngambi makes false assertions claiming that the DP said ‘it is not yet time to comment on these issues, and they’re aware of what was said about the Deputy President. Perhaps in due time, they’ll give us their side of the story’.”
“This is a complete fabrication that Mngambi has to resort to in order to achieve his nefarious purpose. Of late, Mngambi has taken to the mischievous habit of attempting to draw the Deputy President to his multiple imaginary conspiracies and fabrications. We must inform the public that we reject those baseless allegations with all the contempt they deserve.”
“This situation inherently brings into focus not only the integrity of Mngambi and the ethics of journalism practices in his show, but also the ‘verification portal’ policy of Newzroom Afrika. Through Mngambi’s dubious hand, we are left wondering if the station actually stands for what it purports to.”
David Mabuza
Deputy President blasts ‘henchmen’ connections
Ramaphosa’s right-hand man was also keen to stress that he was not aware of an alleged group of ‘henchmen’, who have reportedly been intimidating and harassing those who speak out against corruption in Mpumalanga. Mabuza distanced himself from these rumours – and took one final dig at the Newzroom Afrika team to conclude his statement.
“For the record, we reiterate that Mabuza is not aware of the existence of some henchmen, who are allegedly harassing whistleblowers to serve whatever interests. We have said many times before that whoever becomes aware of such obviously criminal behaviour must report such to the police. With ‘Mngambis’ roaming newsrooms, we remain anxious.”
David Mabuza
The Office of the Deputy President notes with disappointed at yet another set of wild allegations about Deputy President @DDMabuza that are engineered and approached through the show “Newzfeed AM with Xoli Mngambi” on Wednesday 03 February 2021. https://t.co/VbLQmPqyGc
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) February 4, 2021
