South Africa

Mzansi ain’t buying Ace Magashule’s ‘fake tweet’ claims

Ace Magashule claims his Twitter account was hacked

Former Free State premier Ace Magashule is alleged to have pressurised the head of the province's human settlements department so much that the man quit after two years in the position. File photo.
Former Free State premier Ace Magashule is alleged to have pressurised the head of the province's human settlements department so much that the man quit after two years in the position. File photo. (Masi Losi)

South Africa is not buying ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule's "fake tweet" claims.

Last week Magashule told the media that the party had agreed to expand the Reserve Bank's mandate to focus on development and job creation.

PODCAST: Sunday Times Politics Weekly - “The President owes us an explanation”

For more episodes, click here.

Subscribe: iono.fm | Spotify | Apple Podcast | Pocket Casts | Player.fm

However, finance minister Tito Mboweni took to Twitter to contradict Magashule and was backed by the ANC's economic transformation head, Enoch Godongwana, who also disputed that any decision had been taken regarding the central bank.

On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa released a statement reaffirming the mandate of the Bank and said a public spat over the role of the central bank was "not helpful".

However, minutes after the statement was issued, Magashule contradicted it, posting on Twitter that the party's NEC lekgotla had resolved to expand the mandate beyond price stability to include employment and growth.

Screengrab of the 'fake tweet'
Screengrab of the 'fake tweet' (Twitter/@VusiSambo)

The original tweet has since been deleted and Magashule has insisted that the second tweet issued minutes after Ramaphosa's statement on Thursday was a fake tweet from a fake account, adding that his account was hacked.

Former president Jacob Zuma also took to Twitter to comment, appearing to back Magashule. 

Reactions: 

Many accused Magashule of lying and suggested that someone needed to brief him on how Twitter works. 

Here is a snapshot of some of the top reactions: 

Editor’s Choice

1

Getting it right: Masondo judgment correction

2

MK Party names Sibonelo Nomvalo as its new — and seventh — secretary-general

3

EDITORIAL | Ambassador’s bluster does not bode well for SA-US relations

4

ANC in Johannesburg moves to recall mayor Dada Morero

5

MAKHUDU SEFARA | Nkabane’s promotion makes merit a joke

Related Articles