Vytjie Mentor tells journalist: When I’m done with you, you’ll be crying snort and tears
Some of her followers have criticised the ANC whistleblower for threatening a journalist with violence.
Former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sunday Times / Esa Alexander)
Former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor has sparked a debate on Facebook after a post that left some saying she had followed in the BLF’s footsteps and threatened a journalist. Without divulging much information, Mentor told former SABC foreign correspondent Crystal Orderson not to take her for a fool, as she was not.
She warned that when she was “done” with the journalist, she would be “crying snort [sic] and tears”.
Her post elicited mixed reactions from her followers, with some supporting her, saying she probably had a good reason for making such a statement. However, one of her followers was adamant that Mentor had threatened a journalist and needed to explain her actions.
“Why are you threatening Crystal Orderson, a journalist of integrity, with violence? It’s simply not acceptable,” asked the follower. A few comments followed from people who said there was no violence in Mentor’s statement.
“She must make her evidence known. Issuing vague threats against (especially) women journalist [sic] is simply not acceptable it doesn’t matter who it comes from. Or does Vytjie think she is above the values of accountability she wants to hold others to and we are fighting for?” added the follower.
It seems she got on Mentor’s nerves, who told her to “shut” her mouth. “You don’t know what’s happening here,” said Mentor.
“Hypocrites. Want to hold current leadership accountable for bullying, oppressing and threatening others. But perfectly happy to perpetuate it herself. Let me exit here before the Vytjie-cheerleading brigade respond once more with insults but zero substance. If any of you actually want to engage on the issue at hand (vague threats to credible journalists) I would happily do so. But otherwise enjoy the praise poetry,” added the follower.
Those who defended Mentor against the follower said she was overreacting as the former ANC MP would never inflict physical violence on anyone. They insisted that Mentor only meant she would open files on the journalist.
City Press journalist Carien Du Plessis shared her thoughts, saying the “threat” against a journalist appeared to be “unwarranted”.
“It really brings into dispute your credibility in general, and doesn’t help your cause,” she said.
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