Idols Judge and Metro Fm Presenter, Somizi Mhlongo, was arrested then released last Thursday. Somizi is facing charges of spreading fake news after he accused Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula of telling him the deadline will be extended before the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
National Police Spokesman, Vish Naidoo, confirmed the news that the Idols judge was detailed at a police station before being released later.
Somizi had to pay R1,000 to secure his release but he is set to be tried at Randburg Magistrate. The date of the court appearance is April 30.
The story that got Somizi arrested
The Metro FM presenter went on his Instagram live with Dineo Ranaka. He was talking to his followers and somehow he got carried away and said that the President Cyril Ramaphosa was soon going to announce an extension of the national lockdown. Ranaka asked how Somizi got the information and Somizi said he was told by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula.
Mbalula’s response to Somizi allegations
Mbalula fumed at Somizi and threatened to report him to the police which he did.
Somizi later apologized to South Africans and Mbalula calling his message, a bad joke.
However, the apology was not enough for Mbalula, who despite the apology retaliated by opening a case against Somizi, stating that the radio presenter had violated national regulations on spreading fake news.
Mbalula denied ever sharing or leaking any government information with Mhlongo, and he challenged anyone to confirm this by checking his phones.
Sensing that he was under attack, Somizi apologized to Mbalula through a video which Mbalula accepted, but damage was already done as Mbalula had already filed a case with the police. Mbalula felt Somizi violated the national lockdown rules and was supposed to be arrested either was. The minister vehemently denied the allegations of leaking important information and challenged anyone to find evidence in his phones.
Avoiding Stella Ndabeni fracas
Mbalula was avoiding to find himself in the same situation as Telecoms Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams who was suspended by the president for violating lockdown rules. Ndabeni-Abrahams visited member of parliament Mduduzi Manana and their picture together having dinner went viral.
The president called Ndabeni to his offices and suspended her for two months, one of which will not be paid.
South Africans called for the arrest of Ndabeni as they feel the terms stated in the lockdown regulations. They felt the treatement given Ndabeni as an offender was special and would not be afforded to an ordinary citizen.
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