The editor of The Star, Sifiso Mahlangu, reported that he was warned to stop writing about President Cyril Ramaphosa’s adviser, Bejani Chauke, or face “death” by assassination. As a result, a criminal complaint has been filed against the controversial ANC legislator Boy Mamabolo.
Mamabolo allegedly texted Mahlangu, “Leave Dr. Bejani alone, please,” to which Mahlangu responded, “I’m not against Bejani, my man.” IOL reports.
When Mahlangu states that he has no idea what Mamabolo is referring to, he allegedly says:
“Leave him alone for a little while. You are my friend, and I do not want anyone to kill you. Because it could happen at any moment” (sic).
Mahlangu, who reported the incident to the Sandton police station yesterday, stated that the remarks demonstrated the intolerance of those who disagree with the truth.
“The fact that Mamabolo, a public representative for the ruling party, makes death threats is a stark reality that many people face on a daily basis. They cannot kill all of us. Journalism lives,” said Mahlangu.
“The contribution of the fourth estate to our democracy was enormous. Independent Media has been at the forefront of exposing corruption of all races and shaking the untouchables of our society.
“We were the first to expose corporate capture, CR17 bank statements, PPE corruption, the Johannesburg human trafficking ring, Bosasa corruption, Tembisa Hospital corruption, and the Independent Power Producers scandal.
Our ongoing exposé of the Phala Phala scandal should be of interest to all media outlets and all supporters of our pluralistic constitutional democracy.
Mahlangu stated that his parents’ struggle for freedom “was for the very liberties we enjoy today, with a free press serving as the foundation.”
Additionally, he stated that he had never met Mamabolo and that they were not friends.
When asked about the messages, Mamabolo responded, “Stop calling me, I’m busy,” and “No, no, no, no, please. Don’t call me,” He refused to accept additional calls.
At the time of publication, ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe had not responded to questions sent to him.
Independent Media’s reporting on government corruption and the gathering speed of the corrupts’ gravy train appeared to have touched some raw nerves, according to Aziz Hartley, editor-in-chief of Independent Media.
This, according to him, included coverage of the Phala Phala scandal.
“Failing to bring down Independent Media the company, terrorists operating against the agenda of democracy and economic emancipation of the poor are now targeting our people, whether by pen, sword, or other devious means.
“Independent Media does not belong to the South African National Editors Forum” (Sanef). The organization positions itself as a leader in the fight for media freedom.
Given the seriousness of assassination threats, Sanef should now put their money where their mouth is and denounce the blatant threat made against our journalist.”
Hartley stated that as a journalist organization, Independent Media condemned “the intimidation of our profession and our journalists.”
“We condemn terrorist attacks against free speech. We are committed to reporting the truth. Hartley stated, “We support our reporters and our staff.”
Chauke is at the center of the Phala Phala “Farmgate” scandal after UDM leader Bantu Holomisa requested that the Section 89 independent panel investigate allegations that Chauke illegally brought foreign currency into the country two years before it was stolen from Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm.
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Yesterday, Ramaphosa submitted his arguments regarding the theft at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo.
Speaker of the National Assembly Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula appointed a three-member panel to determine whether Ramaphosa violated the law regarding the theft of US dollars from his farm in 2020.
Mamabolo is no stranger to controversy, and in 2020 he threatened to shoot and genital-kick Sunday World journalist Ngwako Malatji.
