The Minister of Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula has announced on Metro FM that Somizi Mhlongo was arrested, but has been bailed for R1500.
The SA Idol Judge, and Metro FM radio host Somizi Mhlongo, handed turned up himself at the Sandton Police station at the weekend, following the charge from Fikile Mbalula, for breaching the Disaster Management regulations in line of information dissemination and information.
This is coming after the president Cyril Ramaphosa had announced that South Africa locked down would be extended till the end of the month, due to COVID-19 pandemic.
However, Somizi spilled the beans on the Dineo Ranaka’s Live on Instagram when he confirmed that Government will definitely extend the lockdown, until the month-end if April.
He also confirmed that the minister Fikile Mbalula, his friend informed him about the extension.
This prompted Dineo to abruptly terminate the live broadcast knowing fully well that he has broken the law.
However, the backlashes from the media promoted Somizi to apologise which he described as “bad joke”.
“My apologies for a bad joke…and to minister of Transportation Fikile mbalula,” Somizi tweeted.
He said that earlier on he was having a chat at work (Metro FM) with Dineo Ranaka “jokingly” and that he thinks it was a bad “joke” as he was scaring her.
“… Dineo asked who told us and I said Fikile Mbalula told me… she was live on Instagram. Then later when I said to her I was joking I didn’t speak to Fikile, I’m just scaring you…” said Somizi.
Consequently, Fikile Mbalula accepted the apology but insisted that he must face the law.
He admitted to having spoken with him and but claimed that he was not “aware what his joke could mean” for the Minister if it was true.
According to SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Vish Naidoo said Somizi Mhlongo reported to the station at the weekend.
He confirmed that Somizi mhlongo was charged and released on bail to the tune of R1500, pending his court appearance.