Goolam Vawda, who has been accused of cyberbullying and defaming politicians, including former Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and other prominent South Africans, is allegedly being used as a proxy to fight ANC factional battles.

A source close to the situation said this is the reason Vawda, who faces criminal charges, remains ‘untouchable’ and has not been arrested or charged months after charges were laid against him.

Last year, Sisulu and a Sunday World journalist laid a criminal complaint against Vawda for cyberbullying, hate speech and publishing defamatory content targeting Sisulu and others via social media. 

Both cases were registered at the Roodepoort police station.

However, there have been no reported arrests or developments despite Vawda recently taking to X (previously known as Twitter), saying he had signed a binding sales agency agreement with Fundudzi Media (Sunday World). 

“He is being paid to tarnish people’s names,” said the source. 

In his handle on X (@goolammv), Vawda also runs a smear campaign against politicians such as former President Jacob Zuma, Zuma’s daughter Duduzile, Julius Malema and others, while he uses the same platform to protect, defend and lure support for the current administration, including ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa and Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula. 

Vawda also accused City Press of writing fake news following an article on Mbalula’s trip to Libya in August 2025. 

It had been reported that Mbalula travelled with a luxury private jet owned by controversial tobacco businessman, Adriano Mazzotti, and did not disclose the purpose or funding of the trip. 

Mbalula dismissed the article as “sensational and baseless”, calling it a desperate attempt to invent a scandal. He said he also instructed his lawyers to investigate a case of defamation of character against the publication.

Attempts to contact Mbalula were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls. The party’s national spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu also did not respond. 

Sisulu’s legal representative, Barnabas Xulu, previously told IOL that law enforcement agencies have been quiet since the case was filed more than a year ago.

Asked why Vawda has not been charged, NPA Gauteng spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwana, said the constitutional body responsible for preparing and conducting criminal prosecutions will only decide on the matter when the SAPS presents the docket with finalised investigations. 

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said a crimen injuria case had been opened against Vawda and it does not grant immediate arrest; rather, it is a court-investigated case. 

“Once the investigation is finalised, the docket will be brought before the Senior State Prosecutor for a decision,” Nevhuhulwi said. 

In her affidavit, Sisulu accused Vawda of using social media to perpetuate personal attacks that are based on false, derogatory and highly inflammatory language that target her political and standing. 

This was after Vawda made numerous posts on his X, accusing Sisulu of corruption and being part of state capture.

He also accused the Sunday World journalist of being a “huge supporter” of former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and former ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule. 

Vawda also accused the journalist of soliciting money from the people he was writing about and of taking credit for articles written by a colleague. 

However, the journalist, through his legal team, said the allegations were baseless and defamatory.

The lawyers requested Vawda to withdraw his posts, but he refused and continued.

Political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said the case exposes yet another example of incompetence on the part of the SAPS.

Ndlovu added that it is clear that Vawda is a pawn used to advance factional battles. 

He warned that with the (ANC) succession battle for 2027, social media could be used to lure, support and discredit politicians.

“It also appears that social media is increasingly becoming a useful and powerful tool to fight political battles. The succession battle for 2027 has begun and social media is going to play a huge role. That is unprecedented,” Ndlovu said. 

Another political analyst, Professor Sipho Seepe said it is concerning that law enforcement has not made an arrest, a year after the cases were registered.

He said law enforcement was expected to act without fear and favour, and remove the element of prejudice.  

manyane.manyane@inl.co.za

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