The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has announced a R100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of individuals responsible for a voice-note that called for the killing of grandmothers who did not vote for the party.
This voice-note, widely circulated on social media, was allegedly linked to provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo. The disturbing message suggested that grandmothers who did not support the ANC should be killed through food poisoning.
“I know they love attending ceremonies, I will get the poison and put it in the food so that all these rotten Zulu elderly women can die … They are trash,” the person on the voice-note stated.
The voice-note also featured a second individual accusing Mtolo of being behind the threatening message.
“Comrades, it’s Mtolo speaking on this voice note, I’m going to ask you that we inform all the elderly people and send this to all the groups,” said the second person.
In response to the situation, ANC provincial spokesperson Mafika Mndebele released a statement on Sunday, asserting that the voice-note was fake and that other similar fabrications were being spread about ANC leaders.
“We wish to alert WhatsApp group users and group administrators that in terms of the Cybercrimes Act of 19 of 2020, it is a criminal offence to use social media to fabricate and publish defamatory content,” Mndebele stated.
Mndebele emphasized the serious consequences for those distributing such malicious content.
Earlier, in an interview, Mtolo acknowledged that the ANC had underestimated the impact of the MK Party in the recent elections. He noted that while they anticipated the MK Party would attract some votes, the actual outcome was unexpected.
The MK Party, established only in December last year, has surged to the lead in KwaZulu-Natal with 45.32% of the vote, followed by the Inkatha Freedom Party at 18.04%, and the ANC at 17%.
Mtolo remarked that the election results indicated a broader trend where parties that have been in power for extended periods were “punished” by the electorate. He also noted that voters were clearly seeking alternatives.
The ANC’s proactive stance in offering a reward highlights their commitment to addressing the spread of harmful misinformation and ensuring the safety and respect of all citizens, particularly the elderly.
