Justice Minister Kubayi Cracks Down on Sunday Newspaper for Spreading False Information
Johannesburg – Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has filed a complaint at the Brooklyn Police Station in Pretoria.
On Sunday, (30 March 2025), Minister Kubayi reported a case involving fraud, obstruction of justice, impersonation, cybercrime, defamation, and crimen injuria.
This complaint stems from an article published in a weekend newspaper, which accused Minister Kubayi of being part of a covert scheme to bring criminal charges against Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
The newspaper based its allegations on unverified WhatsApp messages.
In a statement released on Sunday, (30 March 2025), the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development indicated that Minister Kubayi has been alerted to “a fake WhatsApp conversation making the rounds online.”
The statement continued: “This false conversation incorrectly suggests that she has authorized the prosecution of Deputy President Paul Mashatile.”
“The minister vehemently denounces this malicious and coordinated smear campaign, which aims to sow discord and place her in opposition to the Deputy President.”
“This is part of a planned effort by certain unethical media sectors to damage the minister’s reputation.”
The department noted that there have been numerous political and personal attacks directed at Minister Kubayi lately, emphasizing that “there are individuals willing to go to great lengths to tarnish her name and reputation.”
The statement further expressed: “The Minister views this deliberate misinformation as a direct threat to the stability of both the government and the justice system.”
“It is significant to highlight that the fake conversation features a cellphone number that closely mirrors the Minister’s actual number.”
“Moreover, it falsely claims that the authorization to prosecute has received the President’s approval, supposedly communicated through the Minister in the Presidency.”
“It also insinuates that the Ministers are complicit in leaking information in collusion with journalists.”
“Minister Kubayi assures the public that she will not be swayed or intimidated by these deceitful tactics in her role as a minister.”