South Africa: Malema spokesperson slated over F-word
Johannesburg - It is "unacceptable" for anyone speaking on behalf of the ANC to swear to get their point across, ANC chairperson Baleka Mbete said on Tuesday.
She was responding to questions about ANC Youth League spokesperson Floyd Shivambu who reportedly said "fuck you" to a journalist who called him about a story.
"I totally disagree with any bad language being used by anybody who is communicating on behalf of any part of the ANC," she said at a media briefing at Luthuli House, Johannesburg central.
"I think that's regrettable, its not language to be used... I'm saying anybody expressing themselves in a way that's swearing at anybody, it is unacceptable.
"You don't use language like that, you don't have to swear at people or be rude to people to make your point.
"You can make your point using decent language."
I don't have a problem
Media 24 Investigations journalist Jacques Dommisse called Shivambu to speak to ANCYL president Julius Malema about a supposedly lavish three-day safari he took before the league's elective conference last month.
The conversation "turned ugly".
"I said fuck you," Shivambu can be heard saying on a recording made by Dommisse.
Dommisse then asked if he was swearing at him, Shivambu replied "yes".
"Why do you do that," said Dommisse.
"Because you cannot force yourself to speak to people if they do not speak to you, what is your problem?" said Shibamvu.
"I do not have a problem," said Dommisse.
"Fuck you," said Shivambu.
Out of line
The National Press Club condemned Shivambu's comments, saying his behaviour was "totally unacceptable and completely out of line".
"Shivambu must apologise to the reporter for swearing at him," chairperson of the press club, Yusuf Abramjee said in a statement.
"The media has a job to do and we will not sit back and watch our colleagues being abused. This is a very unfortunate event and the National Press Club is shocked by this."
He also called on the ANCYL to discipline Shivambu.
It is not the first time the league spokesman landed in hot water over his allegedly foul mouth. He is also accused of calling Independent Newspapers political reporter, Carien du Plessis "stupid" and a "white bitch" via sms.
She has approached the Equality Court over the texts.
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