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SABC mum on whether Somizi will face the music

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Somizi Mhlongo. Picture: Supplied/ Gallo Images
Somizi Mhlongo. Picture: Supplied/ Gallo Images

The SABC says it is still following internal processes on how to deal with radio and TV personality Somizi Mhlongo, who handed himself over to the police on Friday.

This was after Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula laid a charge of breaching disaster-management regulations related to “information dissemination and misinformation” at the Sandton Police Station on the same day.

According to the Act, any person who contravenes the regulations “shall be guilty of an offense and on conviction liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period of six months or to both”.

Read: ‘I can’t give an impression that I mix business with pleasure’ – Mbalula

Mhlongo, who co-hosts Metro FM’s The Bridge with Dineo Ranaka and Lerato Kganyago, was later released on R1500 bail.

He is expected to appear again in court on July 3.

It is not clear if he will face the music from the public broadcaster.

SABC acting spokesperson, Mmoni Seapolelo, told City Press on Tuesday that the public broadcaster was not at liberty to discuss the details of the process as it was a matter between employer and employee.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo confirmed that Mhlongo handed himself over at Sandton Police Station on Friday.

“The case that was opened I am told is publishing of any statement to deceive any other person about any measures taken by government to address Covid-19 regulations before lockdown 11(5)C,” Naidoo said.

Read: ‘I would have been blamed for unrest in the country’ – Fikile Mbalula

Mhlongo did not respond to calls and messages, and his management team distanced itself from the matter.

Mhlongo made headlines on Thursday when he revealed how Mbalula told him the country would have to endure an extension to the lockdown.

He later referred to this as a “bad joke” on Instagram Live.

But Mhlongo was spot on as just a few hours later President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the extension.

Mhlongo vehemently denied prior knowledge of the lockdown.

He took to the streets of Slovo Park’s informal settlement giving out shopping vouchers to those in need amidst these trying times.

Mhlongo reached out to the minister to offer an apology which was accepted.

This however was not enough penance and despite being a guest at Somizi’s wedding extravaganza, Mbalula still opened a case against the bubbly socialite and broadcaster.

Mbalula has since said publicly that he forgave his long-time friend, Mhlongo.



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