ANC MP in death threats to Star editor
Complaint laid in new Phala Phala twist
A CRIMINAL complaint has been laid against controversial ANC MP Boy Mamabolo after the editor of the Cape Argus’s sister newspaper, The Star, reported that he had been warned to stop writing stories about President’s Cyril Ramaphosa’s adviser Dr Bejani Chauke or face “assassination”.
In a text message sent on Sunday to editor Sifiso Mahlangu, Mamabolo wrote “Leave Dr Bejani alone pls” to which Mahlangu responded, “I’m not against Bejani my man”.
Mamabolo added, “Aowaa mon (No man) Mo tologele nyana” (leave him alone).
When Mahlangu said he had no idea what Mamabolo was referring to, he was told, “Leave him alone abit. You are my frnd and I don’t want Pple to Assassinate you. Bcos it can happen anytime from now” (sic).
Mahlangu, who reported the incident at the Sandton police station yesterday, said Mamabolo’s comments were a reminder of the intolerance of those who disagree with the truth.
“The fact that Mamabolo, a public representative for the ruling party makes threats of murder is the stark reality that many live with every day. They can’t kill us all. Journalism lives,” said Mahlangu.
“The Fourth Estate contributed immensely to our democracy. Independent Media has been at the forefront of exposing corruption of every race and rattling our society’s untouchables. We have been at the forefront on exposing corporate capture, the CR17 bank statements, PPE corruption, the Johannesburg human trafficking syndicate, Bosasa corruption, Tembisa Hospital corruption and the Independent Power Producers scandal.
“Our continuing exposè on the Phala Phala scandal should be in the interest of all media, and every believer of our diverse constitutional democracy.”
He added that he had never met Mamabolo and clarified that they were not friends.
When contacted about the messages, Mamabolo said: “Please stop calling me, I am busy” and “no, no, no, no please. Stop calling me”. He refused to take further calls. ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe did not respond to questions sent to him by the time of publication.
Aziz Hartley, Independent Media’s editor-in-chief said the group would not stand for “intimidation of our profession and our reporters”.
“We condemn terrorism attacks on freedom of speech. We stand firm on reporting the truth. We support our reporters and our staff,” said Hartley.
“Independent Media is not a member of the SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef). The organisation positions itself as leading the charge for freedom of the media. Now is the time for Sanef to put their money where their mouth is and speak out against the blatant threat against our journalist, especially when it comes to such serious matters as threats of assassination.”
Chauke was placed at the centre of the Phala Phala scandal after UDM leader Bantu Holomisa asked the Section 89 independent panel to investigate allegations that he illegally brought foreign currency into the country before it was stolen from Ramaphosa’s farm two years ago.
On Monday, Ramaphosa delivered his submissions relating to the investigation into the Phala Phala scandal.
A three-member panel was appointed by National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to assess whether Ramaphosa broke the law around the theft of millions of US dollars from his farm in 2020.
Mamabolo is no stranger to controversy, and in 2020 he threatened to shoot Sunday World journalist Ngoako Malatji and kick him in his testicles.
Also in 2020, Mamabolo was forced to apologise and pay EFF leader Julius Malema’s legal costs after he had accused him of abusing his wife, Mantoa.