Idols judge, radio presenter and choreographer Somizi Mhlongo, was arrested and granted R1 500 bail at the weekend after Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula opened a case against him.
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Last week Friday, Fikile Mbalula opened a case against Somizi at the Sandton police station on a charge of spreading fake news and misinformation peddling over lockdown.
Hours before President Cyril Ramaphosa announced SA’s Covid-19 lockdown extension, a video of Somizi Mhlongo went viral in which he is heard talking about the national lockdown. He tells his Metro FM co-host Dineo Ranaka that “Fikile” told him the lockdown will be extended by two weeks.
Hours after the video went viral, Ramaphosa indeed announced a two-week extension of the Covid-19 lockdown. Somizi’s comments sparked concern that Fikile had shared sensitive information with his friend Somizi before it was announced by the president.
Mhlongo subsequently apologised for his comment, saying it was a “very bad joke”. He also denied speaking to Mbalula at all about the lockdown.
Police spokesperson Brig Vish Naidoo said Somizi reported to the Sandton police station with his attorney on Friday.
“He was charged and released on R1,500 bail, pending a court appearance,” Naidoo said.
Fikile also confirmed on his Twitter account that Somizi had been arrested. He was responding a question from a Twitter user.
When are they arresting @somizi ?
— Boy Mamabolo (@BoyMamabolo) April 14, 2020
Image Courtesy: supplied