The public broadcaster SABC, has confirmed that larger-than-life TV star Somizi Mhlongo, will face an internal investigation over his utterances, about the nationwide lockdown extension.
Somizi landed himself in hot water on Thursday when he said, Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula, informed him that the lockdown will be extended. This was just in a couple of moments before the president's address.
Although, Somizi issued an apology and stated that he was joking, Mbalula said he does not mix business with pleasure. Mbalula issued a statement confirming that he will be opening a case against Somizi for name dropping and misinformation.
The SABC said Mbalula opened the case at the Sandton Police Station, north of Johannesburg yesterday.
SABC Spokesperson Mmoni Seapolelo said, they do not condone Somizi's utterances and they will investigate the matter further.
“Although Mr Mhlongo-Motaung’s utterances were not part of the broadcast of his programme on the station, we would like to put it on record that we do not tolerate any behaviour that is in contravention with the Government’s regulations under the Disaster Management Act on Fake News and information peddling. In line with our internal processes, we will also engage Mr Mhlongo-Motaung, investigate the matter and will be guided by our policies on an appropriate action to be taken,” said Seapolelo.
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Yesterday, Somizi posted a video on Instagram apologizing again to Mbalula and the nation at large. Somizi said he understands how this has affected Mbalula, and he said if they find any wrongdoings for his utterances he will co-operate. He said he is also human and he makes mistakes but the timing for the joke was not perfect.
He said if they punish him, he will accept the punishment, just like any other citizen.
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Mbalula said the reason he opened a case for the TV star, is because they signed under oath that they shall not leak any private affairs as Ministers so he is protecting his name too.
