Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma has instructed her legal team to take action against the African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal (ANC KZN), saying the party issued a “disparaging and unfortunate” statement that misrepresents the circumstances surrounding her exit from Vuma FM.

This follows ANC KZN’s remarks in a media statement titled “ANC KZN welcomes Vuma FM pronouncement on the Ngobese-Zuma’s contract and cautions against public lynching of its leaders,” in which the party responded to public speculation linking her departure to Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane.

Ngobese-Zuma described the ANC’s statement as misleading and damaging to her reputation.

“The statement is not only unfortunate, it is riddled with misleading statements that have the effect of eroding my good name, particularly when the catchphrase has no nexus with the contents of the statement,” she said.

“The seriousness of the statement has warranted that I instruct my legal team to take appropriate legal action before the close of business tomorrow, in a quest to vindicate my rights,” she said in a statement on Wednesday evening.

In its statement, ANC KZN spokesperson Fanle Sibisi said it “welcomes the clarification by Vuma FM that its decision not to renew Ms Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma was not influenced by any external parties.”

“This puts to bed the unfounded allegations that ANC deployee and MEC for Health, Cde Nomagugu Simelane, had a hand in the non-renewal of Ms Ngobese-Zuma’s contract,” said Sibisi. 

The ANC also criticised the public circulation of such claims, saying they “undermined the person of Cde Simelane and, by extension, undermined the integrity of her organisation, the ANC, before the record was set straight.”

It added: “The case of the non-renewal of Ms Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma’s contract is a practical example of how the names of both the concerned ANC leader and the ANC itself can be dragged through the mud based on baseless allegations.”

Ngobese-Zuma had earlier revealed that she was informed last Tuesday that her contract at Vuma FM would not be renewed. No reasons were given. She hinted that the decision may have followed a complaint from “an external entity or an individual,” but did not elaborate. Vuma FM has since clarified that no external party influenced the decision.

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health previously issued a public clarification distancing itself from allegations that it was involved in Ngobese-Zuma’s contract termination. The department said:

“We categorically state that the Department has no authority, influence, or interest in the employment matters of any media house or entity outside of our jurisdiction. Any suggestion of our involvement in the termination of the presenter is entirely false and without merit. We respect the autonomy of all independent organisations, including Vuma FM, in making their internal staffing decisions.”

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za

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