Msimanga makes peace after brutal ‘misunderstanding’
Viral clip shows DA leader in argument over ‘R1.4m debt’
Police said yesterday that there is no record of DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga having opened a case with the police despite the DA claiming in that he had done so.
Gauteng police spokesperson Brig Mathapelo Peters told Sowetan that there was no record of Msimanga reporting the incident to the police.
But in a statement DA provincial chair praised the police for swiftly arresting the man.
The man was captured on vedio assaulting Msimanga but the assailant apologied to assualting the politician.
“There was an unfortunate misunderstanding this afternoon which resulted in a scuffle with Mr Msimanga and my apologies to him for being hurt in the scuffle. The issue is resolved and there is no monies outstanding,” said the man, who doesn’t identify himself.
The apology came after a video clip of a bleeding Msimanga engaged in an argument about an alleged R1.4m debt surfaced on social media yesterday afternoon.
In the earlier video clip, the man repeatedly warns Msimanga that he will beat him up while also accusing the politician of owing him the money. The man also accuses Msimanga of having laid a hand on him.
The incident apparently took place yesterday in Benoni, on the East Rand.
Nel told Sowetan the party had held a meeting earlier in the morning that Msimanga attended.
Nel said the “gentleman” came into the business premises where Msimanga went after their meeting and accused Msimanga’s “cousin of owing him money”.
“The man started assaulting Msimanga’s cousin and when Solly tried to intervene, he was also assaulted,” said Nel, who condemned the attack on Msimanga.
The 2min:17sec video clip starts with the man who apparently assaulted Msimanga saying: “... came in to beat you, you are a liar and a thief. And this is what happens to liars and thieves, Solly. And you are not going to turn this into a political stone for yourself in my direction. You are a thief. You owe me money and I want it.”
Msimanga, with blood oozing from his mouth, responds: “I owe you money?”
Then the man responds: “You owe me money, you f**k*n thief. Where did you get the money paid into JD, corrupt mother f**k*r? I want my money.”