Mboweni warns about 'dirty political game' as Twitter pokes fun with #nudesforjeff

Former Reserve Bank governor Tito Mboweni has warned that politics is "going to be dirty" in South Africa as the race intensifies to replace President Jacob Zuma.

"Good people's names will be tarnished! Why? It's dirty politics‚" he warned in a series of tweets on Sunday – as details emerged of a "raunchy text and e-mail" scandal featuring Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe.

• Cabinet minister embroiled in text sex scandalMinister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe is embroiled in a text sex scandal that threatens to torpedo his ambitions for higher office.

The Sunday Times reported that Radebe‚ the longest-serving minister in the cabinet‚ had allegedly solicited nude photographs from a government photographer. In the exchange the minister asks Siyasanga Mbambani‚ 29‚ to "take one down"‚ apparently a request for a photo of her private parts.

She blew the whistle on the minister to bolster a claim that she was being victimised by her bosses at the government communications agency (GCIS) for being "improperly close" to politicians at the Union Buildings when‚ in fact‚ they were the ones "chasing after" her‚ the newspaper reported.

Radebe and Mbambani began communicating via text messages in 2014 after exchanging telephone numbers.

As seen in the text exchange‚ she appears to be hesitant at first until she eventually sends the 64-year-old minister a photo of her naked breasts.

Mboweni warned politicians about the skeletons in their closets amid lobbying for the top position in the African National Congress (ANC) at the party's December conference.

Please do not be surprised by dirty political games from now till December. It's going to be dirty! The stakes are high, be careful.

— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) May 21, 2017

Good people's names will be tarnished! Why? It's dirty politics. Raw!! That was NOT what Freedom was about. Be careful on social media!

— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) May 21, 2017

Be careful about what you post, privately, DM, SMS, or whatever. The battle lines are drawn. And the skeletananyana

— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) May 21, 2017

Privacy will be thrown to the dogs of war! I am out of here till January 2018! Bye.

— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) May 21, 2017

Twitter‚ on the other hand‚ had no pearls of wisdom to impart onto the minister. Instead‚ the hashtag #nudesforjeff started trending.

Yazi these Ministers don't respect their families. Grandpa Jeff Radebe why mara? #NudesForJeff, C.L.I.T pic.twitter.com/Q9ZVn7xRvl

— Mercedes P. Magwai (@Phuttym19) May 21, 2017

While we are busy Fighting against the Abuse and killing of Women ANC members are doing this ?  #NudesForJeffpic.twitter.com/ImWrzWj3Xh

— King of Sheeba   (@SibaWilson) May 21, 2017

Can't wait for the EFF to roast Jeff Radebe in Parliament #NudesForJeffpic.twitter.com/aJ2L1AePJY

— Ngwana Wa Tshwenya (@HovaXXI) May 21, 2017

#NudesForJeff I can already hear Zizi Kodwa explaining to Mzansi that C.L.I.T. is "Communication Line Inspection Tool" pic.twitter.com/f1UeBGEOFB

— Tumelokethebe (@tumelokh) May 21, 2017

Good Morning to everyone except for the Spin Doctor Zizi Kodwa his greeting is pending until he tell us the meaning of C.L.I.T #NudesForJeffpic.twitter.com/YiN8Ymj3GE

— IG: @AdvBarryRoux (@AdvBarryRoux) May 22, 2017

It's this big but don't worry, I'll send a picture. #NudesForJeffpic.twitter.com/IzCItOXRjm

— SaxonwoldShebeen (@StateShebeen) May 21, 2017

When you're Patrice and your 2 brothers inlaw are trending for such different reasons  #Ramaphosa#NudesForJeffpic.twitter.com/UtouacOIk4

— alice (@alice_oliphant) May 21, 2017

#NudesForJeff#100LiesIToldwhat SA shud expect No guys, it is the minister's prerogative to ask for nudesremember ministers can request pic.twitter.com/NvbKyMwyl2

— KING SAVAGE (@MrLuvo) May 21, 2017

#nudesforjeff Jeff be like: pic.twitter.com/AybEwCWbqP

— Marvin (@MarvinMkhize) May 21, 2017