PRESS STATEMENT BY
HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR OF ZULULAND DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
COUNCILLOR THULASIZWE BUTHELEZI
I am shocked by news reports being broadcast on both SAFM and Ukhozi FM spreading the lie that I have been arrested and will be appearing in the Magistrate’s Court today in Mahlabathini.
This is fake news, intended purely to damage the IFP.
I am in fact with the President of the IFP and the Mayor of Ulundi right now, opening infrastructure projects of the Ulundi Local Municipality. We are here, celebrating with the community the excellent service delivery achievements of local government in Zululand.
It is absolutely unacceptable that any reputable radio station could broadcast such a damaging lie, without checking first whether there is any factual basis. It would have been simple enough to check with the Prosecutor at the Mahlabathini Magistrate’s Court that there is no case involving me anywhere on the roll. It would have been simpler still to call me or my office.
This lie has caused real damage to me and to the IFP, for the story is spreading and is widely believed to be true.
I call on SAFM and Ukhozi FM to set the record straight immediately, so that listeners will not be misled into believing nonsense. I also call on other media outlets, and all users of social media, to refrain from spreading this fake news.
There will be plenty of photographs of today’s municipal celebrations offering evidence that I am here, going about my work in the service of our people. I ask you to use the evidence of truth to fight the nonsense of fake news.
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Contact:
Cllr Thulasizwe Buthelezi
Mayor of Zululand District Municipality
078 500 7000
