He said it was a “misinterpretation” in earlier reports that the provincial heavyweight had been part of a delegation to Nkandla.
SABC journalist Samkele Maseko has retracted an earlier report he made on the public broadcaster about ANC treasurer Vusi Shongwe being part of a Mpumalanga delegation to Nkandla.
Maseko said it was a “misinterpretation” on his part as Shongwe never came to Nkandla.
The reporter had earlier on Sunday told viewers that a delegation from Mpumalanga comprised of ANC PEC member Pat Ngomane, eHlanzeni deputy convener Ngrai Ngwenya and Shongwe arrived in Nkandla.
This prompted Shongwe, who is also an MEC of community safety in the province, to issue a statement, demanding that Maseko should retract the “untrue” report.
“It is very important that reporters always check and verify the information they communicate before going on air,” Shongwe said in a statement.
“People should avoid sensational reporting by peddling incorrect information,” he said, adding that he was at his home when the “untrue allegations” were made live on air.
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Maseko said: “To insist that Vusi Shongwe from Mpumalanga, an MEC whom we had earlier reported is making [his] way here, he did not come to Nkandla and that was a misinterpretation on our part”.
Ngrai Ngwenya, a staunch supporter of former President Jacob Zuma, has vowed he was prepared to die for the former President.
He has been in Nkandla the whole weekend to protect against an arrest after the former President was found guilty and sentenced to 15 months in jail for defying the Constitutional Court.
He had until Sunday 4 July 2021 to hand himself over to cops but court papers he filed at the 11th hour seems to have spared some time outside.
His application to avoid prison will be heard by the ConCourt next week Monday.
Scores of supporters descended to the former President’s Nkandla house the past weekend and vowed they will form a human shield to protect him when the cops come to arrest him. These included Amabutho and members of the MKMVA.
(edited by ZK)
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