Fikile Mbalula told to share facts, accused of posting fake news on Twitter

A tweet in which an image from 2006 was used to accompany a post about money laundering and votes for cash was slammed by Twitter users who accused Mbalula of posting fake news and lying.

“Intelligence driven operation the money launderous are very sophisticated but we will crush them decisively…# VotesForCash,” said Mbalula.

https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/940562078343065601

The image used was taken from an article posted on News 24 almost 10 years ago. Mbalula said he used it to illustrate what happens and the context of the image was not important as the message he was relaying.

“Issue here is not origin of the IMAGE (which is from 2006) but the context of the tweet. I happen to be the Minister of Police – and you use Google Reverse Search to challenge a tweet that speaks to what is happening now. It’s called image illustration,” replied Mbalula to a person who asked him about the old image.

Mbalula’s tweets were slammed by many who questioned why he couldn’t use a real image to accompany his tweet, if his statements were factual.

“He brought the police intelligence operations into disrepute and he is undermining their credibility as political head,” tweeted Raamana Rambulana while Zitto Raygwa said: “Fikile you should have some decency to declare your interest. You openly support NDZ and you announce so called cash for votes. It is a shame. Too low.”

Reaction to Mbalula’s tweet below

😂😂Why are you acting as if being the Minister of Police gives you some wisdom nobody else can ever have? The truth is that you shared fake news and that should be a cause for concern. How is this different from what Donald Trump does?

— Philani Sikho (@SikhoPhilani) December 12, 2017

Yaz I thought he was going to continue after ' I happen to be the Minister of Police'
Sitting here still waiting for the point of the line. I don't , I might be slow.

— Zinhle Nicky (@Zee_Khize) December 12, 2017

I really think you should reread what you just wrote and then carefully think 💭 about what the word “hypocrisy” actually means.

— Umfazi wephepha (@DMJAYJAY) December 12, 2017

Trying to do damage control pic.twitter.com/HYzg1mIFOw

— 🇿🇦 Calvin 🇿🇦 (@RealCal22) December 12, 2017

Image illustration of WHAT EXACTLY? What is the purpose of an old image??? Never mind, don’t answer … You’re a National Embarrassment …

— Helianthus (@SunflowerSriBrz) December 12, 2017

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