Somizi's "bad joke" landed him in trouble with the law last year, but now his integrity has been questioned following Dineo's statement, this according to Sunday World. Minister Fikile Mbalula laid charges against Somgaga last year for spreading fake news relating to the nationwide lockdown.
Spreading false information in relation to the pandemic, including lockdown has been deemed an offense. Somizi caught himself in the firing line when he made a 'joke' in relation to the lockdown just moments before president Cyril Ramaphosa could announce it. He claimed to have received intel from Fikile Mbalula that the lockdown would be extended further.
After setting the timeline alight, Somgaga retracted his statements and apologised to Mbalula for dragging him in the joke. Even after receiving an apology he proceeded to lay charges nonetheless, resulting in Somizi handing himself over at the Sandton police station.
Now, where does Dineo Ranaka get involved in this whole mess? Well the bad joke was made whilst they were together in studio however it was made off-air. Somgaga joked with the media personality through her personal Instagram account during a live session, making her a state witness.
At kno stage did i speak to @Somizi about lockdown my phones can be checked or meet with him. Just called him now to rectify. pic.twitter.com/F22LnRb6kg
The publication reports that Dineo was asked to answer a few questions relating to the incident by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and in her statement she contradicted Mhlongo.
Somgaga told his lawyers that he was only joking about the statements, however Dineo Ranaka allegedly said Somizi never said he was joking, it was only after he was put in the firing line did he make things clear for her.
Spoke to @somizi he was not even aware about what his joke could mean for me if it was true. Apology accepted 👏👏👏👏🙌 pic.twitter.com/1XB53GjlNf
An agent told Sunday World that the radio personality could not lie as she too would be charged, “That is the problem because he only said he was joking later. So, Dineo couldn’t lie under oath because she could be charged with perjury. She had to tell the truth.”
The case could also be delayed because both their lawyers are not satisfied with it being heard at Randburg magistrates court. They argue that Fikile should have opened the case where the offense took place which is at Auckland Park.
"...Randburg magistrate’s court does not have jurisdiction to hear this case and they want it to be heard in the Johannesburg magistrate’s court. So, this might actually derail the trial or the hearing as they want to push that the matter does not belong there and it should be transferred to Joburg magistrate's court,” said a source to the publication.
