ANC takes action after journalist threatened

The ANC in parliament is poised to act against one of its MPs who threatened to shoot a journalist.

ANC parliamentary chief whip Pemmy Majodina said in statement a decision was made to institute an internal disciplinary process against ANC MP Boy Mamabolo, who threatened Sunday World journalist Ngwako Malatji.

In a voice recording which Sunday World released, Mamabolo can be heard saying he will shoot Malatji after he questioned him about tweets criticising President Cyril Ramaphosa’s reinstatement of the alcohol ban. Mamabolo called it a victory for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

Majodina said: “We denounce the alleged unbecoming behaviour of the ANC member of parliament. As an MP, Mamabolo is bound by the oath of office to serve, represent, respect and protect the citizens of the Republic of South Africa.

“At all times, the ANC caucus has strived to maintain a cordial relationship with members of the media and respects the constitutional values and Bill of Rights, including freedom of expression, as well as the freedom of the press and other media to do its work.”

This was after the Democratic Alliance said it would refer him to parliament’s ethics committee.

She said the party informed Malatji of the decision to institute disciplinary steps against Mamabolo.

Majodina said she referred the matter to the national caucus disciplinary committee over the weekend.

“The ANC caucus will communicate the outcomes of the disciplinary process in due course. We also note that Mr Malatji opened a case against Mamabolo and we will allow the law to take its course,” Majodina said.

In March, EFF leader Julius Malema and his wife, Mantoa, approached the Limpopo High Court on an urgent basis, seeking R2 million in damages from Mamabolo.

This came after Mamabolo accused Malema in parliament of abusing his wife.

Mamabolo was served with papers demanding R2 million for defamation.

The two parties eventually reached a settlement before the merits of the case were argued in court. – News24 Wires

At all times, the ANC caucus has strived to maintain a cordial relationship with members of the media.

Pemmy Majodina ANC parliamentary chief whip