Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has come in for some heavy criticism this week, after she got into an altercation with a housing activist in Khayelitsha. The politician’s clash with this civilian was captured on video – and it has since been alleged that the cell phone used to record Sisulu was confiscated by her bodyguards.
Nkosikhona Swartbooi is campaigning to ensure that promises about housing and building materials are delivered in the sprawling township, based just outside of Cape Town. Wary that Lindiwe Sisulu may renege on an agreement made last year, Swartbooi ensured that he would hold the minister to account on his own patch.
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However, his robust line of questioning only drew ire from Sisulu and her team. A fierce shouting match erupted, with the ANC veteran removing her mask at one point to berate the activist. Things only deteriorated from there…
Government officials should not engage with the media or the public like this. This is not acceptable. pic.twitter.com/sANi0uXjAb
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) January 6, 2021
“No, no… you are lying. You are not going to tape me and talk nonsense. You are talking rubbish, just switch that off. Switch that off. I have said that I will bring the building materials here,” Sisulu said.
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After the confrontation, Swartbooi stated that a bodyguard tried to take his phone away and delete the footage. He also claimed there was an attempt to force his colleagues into the back of a Range Rover…
Watch @The_DHS Minister @LindiweSisuluSA instructing her body guard/security personnel to confiscate my phone and force me to get into an Range Rover SUV with men unknown to me and my colleagues from @khayelitshacan pic.twitter.com/nwbQn8ovNa
— Nkosikhona Swartbooi (@NSwartbooi) January 6, 2021
