Mbalula has sent out a press release stating that he will open a case against Somizi Mhlongo for "name dropping and misinformation" on Friday.
A viral video circulated where Somizi can be heard on Metro FM radio host and colleague Dineo Ranaka's Instagram Live video, informing them that there will be an announcement and that the lockdown will be extended. In the video, he name drops Fikile Mbalula and claims that he was informed by the minister. The video quickly ends with Dineo Ranaka abruptly closing off her live session, before they discuss this 'serious' matter.
Transport minister Fikile Mbalula has denied that he leaked the news of the lockdown extension to Idols judge Somizi Mhlongo, before the official announcement was made.
He tweeted "At no stage did I speak to Somizi about lockdown, my phones can be checked."
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Mbalula then informs the public that Somizi apologized and that he had accepted his apology. He made the radio presenter aware of his mistake and that had it been true, the consequences would be dire for the minister.
Somizi apologised for the bad 'joke' and in the video, he says that he is just like everybody else, he had a hunch that the lockdown would be extended.
"I'm just like you, I did not know about it, I was just guessing. I think like everybody else I had a feeling that it was gonna be extended," said Mhlongo.
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An apology alone was not enough to prove either of the parties 'innocence'. The department of transport announced that Mbalula would take legal action against Somizi. He will make his way to the Sandton Police Station to lay charges against the personality for contravening the government lockdown regulations, which prohibits the spread of fake news.
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People all over social media are convinced that it was not a joke and that the two parties did speak to each other. Here are some of the reactions.
