MBOMBELA – It still remains a mystery who are actually recorded on the recently-much publicised audio tape about MEC Lindiwe Ntshalintshali and Mbuso Thumbathi.
The other questions following the mystery are, who recorded the audio tape and who leaked it to the public domain or and social media? In the past week, Ntshalintshali and Thumbathi were making headlines in the gravy trains and news circles.
On the alleged leaked audio recording, it is claimed that it is Ntshalintshali and Thumbathi who are discussing sensitive matters of her department and engaging in steamy sex. They both said they had no idea how the audio recording was made. Ntshalintshali is quoted as saying that she suspects that the leaked recording came from her colleagues in the ANC provincial executive committee and cabinet members who had been spreading these rumours in the past months.
“I’m not sure about the authenticity of the recording, because I never granted permission to be recorded. So, if there is any recording, it is against the law and somebody must take ownership and we will deal with it legally,” Ntshalintshali said.
On the other hand, Thumbathi said he had no idea how this recording was made. In a media statement, Thumbathi said: “I am not in the business of secretly recording people. I have also never told anyone that I am the man in the alleged audio recording. I have seen comments and received calls regarding the issue. I have given my side of the story to my family, colleagues, friends and comrades.”
Ntshalintshali, 42, is the MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation and former mayor of eMalahleni municipality. She is a high-ranking politician in the province and the ANC’s provincial acting secretary. She will be contesting for the provincial deputy chairperson in the upcoming elective conference.
Thumbathi, 35, is a media and political consultant, political analyst, linguist, entrepreneur and Public Relations strategist. A former Nkomazi Voice journalist and founding member of the Nombuso Communications.
They both denied to be in a relationship. The company, Nombuso Communications, said: “We have noted many social media posts purporting that Mr Thumbathi is the man on the audio. He slept with the MEC, recorded audio and leaked it to the public. We wish to distance and disassociate ourselves and Mr Thumbathi from the allegation.”
“These allegations are not true. I have never admitted to sleeping with the said Member of the Executive Council. It is also worth noting that I have never told anyone of my involvement with the said recording. I have not agreed to having sex with the MEC nor being the man in the said audio. I therefore would like to distance myself from this audio and the allegations around it. I have nothing to do with it, posts and comments made by other people,” Thumbathi explained.
He said that he believes that these comments and posts are misleading, dehumanising, dangerous, baseless and conclusions thereof unfounded. “We intend meeting the MEC to give the side of Mr Thumbathi’s story and set the record straight with her. He is not responsible for people’s actions and statements, but his,” read the statement.
Thumbathi has refuted and dismissed claims that he has received large sum of money to discredit and damage the MEC in question and other top members of her faction as the ANC draws closer to its provincial elections.
“I am not aware of the alleged hundreds of thousands of rands or any. I am not part of any ANC’s factional battles. I am not assisting any faction to unfairly win the elections. I am not involved in any underhand politics. My work and involvement with any member or leader of the ANC remains above board. I also wish to categorically state that I am not working on leaking any file involving dodgy dealings of the Focus/Vruuu Pah faction or any other faction,” he said.
In light of the allegations against her, Ntshalintshali said she did not intend resigning from her position and Thumbathi said that he is ethical and committed to respecting humanity, the ANC and the laws of the Republic. He wants to assure the ANC and the public that he remains a responsible citizen. He is not involved in any underhand activities.
