Masechaba Ndlovu has once again landed herself in hot water on these social media streets. This follows after the TV presenter turned spokesperson for the , Department of Sports, Arts and Culture disclosed the late Anele Ngcongca’s mother’s illness to the public, without permission from the family.
Read more: Masechaba Ndlovu Dragged For Sharing ‘Racist’ Coronavirus Awareness Video
In a heated exchange between her and sports presenter Robert Marawa, he reprimanded her for informing the public that Anele’s mother allegedly has Coronavirus before the family could disclose the illness themselves. Masechaba also got dragged for disclosing the amount of money the family received from various sponsors who are helping out for the funeral.
It all started when Robert Marawa called out minister Nathi Mthetwa for being silent after the passing of Anele. This after a follower expressed their disappointment at how Anele was celebrated in other countries such as Belgium and not South Africa.
That is where Masechaba stepped in as her role of being spokesperson, she said:
“Dear @robertmarawa, neither the MEC nor Minister @NathiMthethwaSA can visit the family at this time as Anele’s mother has tested positive for COVID-19.
For this reason the funeral has been moved to next week,” tweeted Masechaba.
“Sundowns has provided R100,000. The Provincial Department of Sport provided R40,000. Thabo Tutu from the Provincial Department is part of the organising committee and has been working with a team lead by a family representative and looking at quotes, etc.”
She further revealed that the family had to reconsider the amount of people who will be attending the funeral, from 20 000 down to just 100.
“Furthermore, he advises that the above funds will be sufficient to cover costs of the funeral. The family is of the view that there must be 20, 000 people at the event. They were told that it must be confined to 100 people as per the COVID-19 health protocol.”
Also read: Anele Ngcongca’s Funeral Postponed
Masechaba then informed people that a person by the name of Thabo will be meeting up with Anele’s sister who has been to the media talking about how dissappointed their family is as nobody from the minister’s office contacted them.
“Thabo is arranging to meet with Anele’s sister who has been on social media and on radio, to request her not to be reckless and to withdraw her statements. I hope this clarifies things.”
Robert then responded by disciplining Masechaba for disclosing such private information without the family’s consent.
“Hi @MasechabaNdlovu…The family has NOT released a statement on the nature of illness of uMama and I’m not sure if you’ve been granted permission to publicly disclose such….A diagnosis was ONLY received on Monday 30th November…Anele passed away on 23 November…no statement,” he wrote.
“And no phone call to the Family came through from the Minister or his Office since his passing is all that @SiyasangaNgcon3 (Anele’s sister) was lamenting in her tweet. Nowhere did she say she’s asking for money which is what you are now highlighting in the pockets of donations you mention. Anele was a well paid footballer who’s savings regime is well documented in various publications way before he passed away. So money was NOT the issue.
“Anele also has a family in Greenside, Johannesburg and I’m positive nothing has happened on that side either… A statement, phone call…video call, Skype, whatever is available would have been more than sufficient.. The ‘Thabo’ u talk about is unknown to the family and neither is the R40 000. Your desire to censor a bereaved member of the Family should never be your focus. What is “reckless” is your response.”
Social media was not impressed at all by Masechaba’s tweets and called her out on them. For some, they took it back to when she revealed that Mampintsha was abusing Babes Wodumo, without Babe’s approval.
Here are the reactions:
Why is Masechaba publicly disclosing someone else’s medical information? When she’s worked in media and knows how deeply unprofessional and unethical that is?
— Ann Marie Lastrassi stan (@naledimashishi) December 2, 2020
I’m all about female empowerment, but Masechaba Ndlovu doesnt know what she is doing in that office. She lacks basic etiquette bathong. You don’t just go around disclosing things you’re not supposed to.
— MPHO 🌻 (@MphoMoalamedi) December 2, 2020
Masechaba Ndlovu is an incompetent insensitive idiot who doesn’t know the requirements of her job.She must be removed with immediate effect…
— Super_SoLo 💪 (@Fantastic_SoLo) December 2, 2020
There is no dignity in how media treats grieving families in this country.
— Sizwe Dhlomo (@SizweDhlomo) December 2, 2020
I have not even seen Masechaba chair a press briefing for the Minister. Each time she pops on my radar, it’s for all the wrong reasons. She will remain in that post because of the system she serves. Pity she embarrasses some of the well meaning spokespeople.