Duduzile Zuma Reposts Fikile Mbalula's "we paid" post.

Outcome

Overview

Mbalula's post has been manipulated and Zuma's repost is harmful.

Background & Outcome

It is our understanding that ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula in fact posted the content in question on X. Looking at the content of Mbalula's post, it is unreasonable to conclude that this content is mis or disinformation particularly because we do not know the context in which the post was made. Moreover, there is no rational connection between the words and the conclusion that the ANC paid the IEC to win the upcoming elections. Mbalula does not state who got paid. The post is in bad taste because Mbalula (an experienced politician) knows how his remarks could easily be misconstrued. It is quite possible that this post was a bad joke or a satirical statement to rile up people like Duduzile Zuma who are running with a false narrative about the IEC being captured by the ANC. Stating "We paid for the circus to end on 29 May 2024..." could also be reference to the ANC paying for its own elections campaign. Looking at Duduzile's caption to the screenshot of the Mbalula's post, it would also be unreasonable to conclude that her words are harmful. Knowing that Mbalula in fact posted the content, we cannot accuse Duduzile of promoting mis or disinformation.

Images

Only images our reviewers cleared for publication are shown here.