Bathabile ‘can’t even open her emails’; Lumka addresses reports of boss leaking Cyril emails

As the scandal against Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa gains momentum, with supposed pornographic videos of his alleged mistress emerging, his support is also mounting. Fingers have been reportedly pointed at ANC Women’s League president Bathabile Dlamini, who has been accused by Cosatu of leaking the emails.

The accusations come after Dlamini defended former deputy minister of higher education and training Mduduzi Manana, who assaulted a woman last month, saying there were other ANC leaders who had bigger issues.

Following Dlamini’s statement, EFF leader Julius Malema came out alleging people in the ANC believed Ramaphosa used to beat his first wife, allegations that were dismissed by his son and ex-wife.

Now Ramaphosa’s emails have been leaked, linking the deputy president to at least eight different women, with students included.

Cosatu has reportedly alleged it was Dlamini who leaked the emails, allegations she dismissed through her spokesperson, Lumka Oliphant. Dlamini is a staunch supporter of former AU chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

“She cannot even open her own emails. How can she open such big emails? She does not want to be caught in these things,” she reportedly told IOL on Monday.

Dlamini-Zuma refused to comment on the Ramaphosa scandal.

Cosatu released a statement on Monday, saying the matter was between him and his wife, vowing its support for the deputy president.

“We concur with those who argue that the conduct and behaviour of those who hold public positions should always be exemplary. But we refuse to be moral police, who monitor and police people’s personal lives and bedroom activities.

“It is up to the deputy president to pacify those who believe in the concept of repressive morality and prescribe to the principle of self-restraint on matters sexual, if he deems it necessary. As Cosatu, we never said we support him because of his puritanical qualities,” it said.

The trade union federation said the “non-scandal” was the work of a smear campaign by those using “state resources to tarnish his name and reputation”.

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