Ranjeni Munusamy shades Karyn Maughan over Shivambu age question

Things got a bit awkward between two of South Africa’s best-known journalists at the EFF press conference today, with Ranjeni Munusamy seeming to call out Karyn Maughan after the latter questioned the fact that Brian Shivambu claims to have legitimately made millions as a consultant at a young age.

Karyn Maughan asked a series of questions, one of which was: “I just want to ask mister Shivambu how old is your brother?”

She continued: “The fact that he got 16 million rand over this period and we see in this report that these consultancy agreements were used as illicit mechanisms there is overwhelming evidence … Do you believe that those payments were innocent?”

READ MORE: Pauli van Wyk, just give us a list of when the payments were made – Malema

Later, Ranjeni Munusamy asked her second round of questions, including one about the media that seemed to be a clear attempt to distance herself from Maughan’s preoccupation with Brian Shivambu’s age.

Munusamy started by pointing out that Malema had made allegations “about the media and journalists,” and expressed her disapproval of being counted by the EFF leader as part of a “media mob.”

“For example I’m not so clear if I’m in the 1652 or 1860 because my ancestors only came as indentured labourers in 1860 not in 1652, so this allegation of a mob makes us all guilty by association,” she said.

READ MORE: Malema says ‘siblings exchange money’ in defence of Shivambu

The date 1652, as many readers will know, is a reference to when white settlers landed in the Cape, while 1860 is when Indian settlers first arrived as labourers.

Munusamy continued: “For example I wouldn’t come to a press conference and ask how old is your brother because he’s a black man who’s 30 years old there must be something wrong,” she said in a clear reference to Maughan’s earlier question.

Interestingly, both journalists are employed by Tiso Blackstar.

During the #EFFPresser I picked up some tension between Ranjeni and Karyn…🤔 picked up some shade.

— Siphokazi Sigenu (@SpookySigenu) October 16, 2018

Ranjeni is distancing herself from Karyn Maughan who asked how old is Floyd Shivambu's brother (Black brother) for him to be a millionaire.#EFFPresser

— Bra Hloni (@BraHlonisky) October 16, 2018

Ranjeni took a shot at Karyn Maughan about her questioning Brian's age and financial status #EFFPresser

— S I M (@TrulyGiven) October 16, 2018

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