Police Minister Fikile Mbalula: File photo: ANA
A tweet in which an image from 2006 was used to accompany a post about money laundering and votes for cash was slammed by Twitter users who accused Mbalula of posting fake news and lying.
“Intelligence driven operation the money launderous are very sophisticated but we will crush them decisively…# VotesForCash,” said Mbalula.
The image used was taken from an article posted on News 24 almost 10 years ago. Mbalula said he used it to illustrate what happens and the context of the image was not important as the message he was relaying.
“Issue here is not origin of the IMAGE (which is from 2006) but the context of the tweet. I happen to be the Minister of Police – and you use Google Reverse Search to challenge a tweet that speaks to what is happening now. It’s called image illustration,” replied Mbalula to a person who asked him about the old image.
Mbalula’s tweets were slammed by many who questioned why he couldn’t use a real image to accompany his tweet, if his statements were factual.
“He brought the police intelligence operations into disrepute and he is undermining their credibility as political head,” tweeted Raamana Rambulana while Zitto Raygwa said: “Fikile you should have some decency to declare your interest. You openly support NDZ and you announce so called cash for votes. It is a shame. Too low.”
Reaction to Mbalula’s tweet below
//
For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.