Mbalula hires fellow vocal tweep as political adviser

The former chief executive of Platfields Limited, Bongani Mbindwane, has been appointed the political adviser to Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula.

“We are in the process of finalising [the appointment],” Mbalula told the Mail & Guardian. “His job will be to liaise with me, work closely with me and, most importantly, advise on political issues. That is why I hired him,” he said.

Mbindwane is a well-known personality on Twitter, where he consistently takes a pro-President Jacob Zuma stance, twarring with critics and earning him the tag of “Zuma cheerleader”.

In April, he tweeted: “Some days make one imagine a Zuma third term as president of the glorious ANC.” On May 10, he tweeted: “The anti-Zuma sausage machine is a red herring against the full emancipation of the black body. Racism and racial empathy gap is at play.”

The spokesperson for the police ministry, Vuyo Mhaga, said Mbindwane’s personal views were not a factor. “We must learn how to separate the professional and the personal. Mbindwane’s personal views are his own and have nothing to do with what he is capable of doing as a professional. What he says and does in his own time and what he stands for have nothing to do with his appointment,” he said.

He said Mbindwane was the minister’s preferred candidate and will be a good addition to the team, given his understanding of South Africa’s political scene.

“The minister appointed Mbindwane for his political knowhow. He understands South African politics and, according to the minister, he was the right man for the job and I am certain he will prove to be a worthwhile recruit,” said Mhaga.

Mbindwane served as director and chief executive of Platfields before the company’s shares were suspended on the JSE because of its failure to submit financial results on time. He holds a law degree and a diploma in environmental management.