Entertainment / Celebrity
Somizi: I am not going to let anyone use me as a doormat
22 Jan 2021 at 11:51hrs | Views
Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung has said he is not going to apologise for having a rant at journalists, Julia Madibogo from City Press and Kabelo Khumalo, from the Sunday World.
Prior to the rant, over the weekend, the two journalists had on different occasions approached Somizi for a comment pertaining to his marriage with husband, Mohale Motaung-Mhlongo and the stance of his cooking show, Dinner at Somizi's.
"I am not going to apologise for anything. If anyone attacks me and the people that I love, I am going to stand up for myself. Is that ethical journalism when someone wants to run a story that isn't factual? They continue to say Mohale is cheating but where are the facts even if you tell them your side of the story they go on and run the story as per their own view. I am not going to apologise for anything I am a human being and I have emotions so if anyone attacks me and the ones I love I am going to stand up for myself.
As for that lady journalist I have already issued out a statement and have apologised for posting her number but that's all and as for that other journalist me and him have history he has been harassing me for the best of times. He contacted me on my private number on a Saturday and gave me a one hour deadline he should have contacted my manager and I don't work on Saturdays so I was responding to his private number not the media publication. I am sorry for having insulted him but I am not going to apologise for standing up for myself I am not going to let anyone use me as a doormat," said Somizi.
However, the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF)'s Chairperson, Sbu Ngalwa, has castigated Somizi for not being remorseful, "his response is unacceptable he has not shown any remorse. the companies he works with should also take a stance. Somizi doesn't realise the gravity of his actions. Julia has been threatened with rape and Kabelo has also had his family threatened that's the kind of abuse he seems not to understand. Somizi has no right to intimidate or harass journalists."
Prior to the rant, over the weekend, the two journalists had on different occasions approached Somizi for a comment pertaining to his marriage with husband, Mohale Motaung-Mhlongo and the stance of his cooking show, Dinner at Somizi's.
"I am not going to apologise for anything. If anyone attacks me and the people that I love, I am going to stand up for myself. Is that ethical journalism when someone wants to run a story that isn't factual? They continue to say Mohale is cheating but where are the facts even if you tell them your side of the story they go on and run the story as per their own view. I am not going to apologise for anything I am a human being and I have emotions so if anyone attacks me and the ones I love I am going to stand up for myself.
However, the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF)'s Chairperson, Sbu Ngalwa, has castigated Somizi for not being remorseful, "his response is unacceptable he has not shown any remorse. the companies he works with should also take a stance. Somizi doesn't realise the gravity of his actions. Julia has been threatened with rape and Kabelo has also had his family threatened that's the kind of abuse he seems not to understand. Somizi has no right to intimidate or harass journalists."
Source - Daniel Itai, Johannesburg, South Africa
