KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has opened a crimen injuria and assault case against former Ukhozi FM presenter Ngizwe Mchunu. The pair allegedly had a go at each other on Saturday in one of the VVIP marquees during the Ingoma Kazwelonke Festival at Moses Mabhida stadium, in Durban.
In a statemen, Zikalala’s office said the case was opened at the Durban Central police station after the two were involved in a confrontation on Saturday.
“Charges against Mchunu include assault and crimen injuria after an incident which took place during the Ingoma Kazwelonke competition held at Moses Mabhida stadium,” said spokesperson Lennox Mabaso.
“There has been a series of recent episodes during which Mr Ngizwe Mchunu hurled verbal abuse and invectives at the premier without justification or provocation. In continuation of this widely publicised mode of attack on the premier, yesterday Mr Mchunu escalated this when he came over to the exclusive area where the premier was seated and started hurling insults at the premier. As a result, people nearby had to intervene,” Mabaso said.
Zikalala had to leave the event as a result of the insults which were hurled at him.
“As a public servant and private individual, the premier reserves all rights applicable to him in terms of our constitution. In this regard the premier stands ready and is duty bound to exhaust all legal avenues to protect himself and the dignity of the office he occupies from unscrupulous and unwarranted attacks by individuals such as Mr Mchunu,” Mabaso said.
Mchunu alleges that he was the one who was attacked by the premier. He said at the event he was summoned by the premier. He said Zikalala asked why he is always following him.
“Although he was sitting, he was extremely drunk. Even before I responded… he hit me. Nomagugu Simelane, the MEC of health, rose up and said don’t do this… She was in tears because she knows exactly what damage the premier was causing hitting me in front of everyone,” Mchunu said.
Source: News24, ENCA, Times Live, Eyewitness News, The Witness, image from Twitter
