Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy president Floyd Shivambu was roasted on Twitter for manhandling a journalist and compared to an “AWB thug” on Tuesday.
While many red beret supporters were quick to tweet in his defence‚ there was also a sense of outrage at his behaviour.
Shivambu was captured on video manhandling Netwerk24 multimedia journalist Adrian de Kock outside Parliament on Tuesday.
Veteran journalist Max du Preez said: “The last time I remember politicians intimidating journalists like @FloydShivambu did to @Netwerk24 's Adrian de Kock was when Eugene TerreBlanche's AWB thugs pushed me and others around.”
>https://twitter.com/MaxduPreez/status/976017197255548928Some observers said he should face criminal charges. “Floyd Shivambu and Mduduzi Manana‚ same whatsapp group‚” said Gaopalelwe K Ditinti.
Others asked sarcastically if EFF heavyweight advocate Dali Mpofu would be representing the journalist in court.
>https://twitter.com/siphele58917469/status/976020794710032385Ricky Singh was scathing in his observation of the incident: “Political lightweight Floyd 'Mayweather' Shivambu seen assaulting journo Adrian De Kock. Filthy conduct (for) a benign politician.
>https://twitter.com/Rikkising/status/976020525796425728Themba M Masango was among many who were disappointed by the fracas: “FLOYD SHIVAMBU..NO MAN! This will perpetuate the narrative that eff and it's leadership is intolerant and violent towards journalist and anybody with an opposing view. So dissapointed right now‚” he tweeted.
>https://twitter.com/BroThemba/status/976020349107175424TheWolfKing brought some perspective: “I don’t know what transpired‚ cause we only seeing the clip but MR Shivambu what you did is very wrong‚ wrong in every aspect. MANHANDLING is an offense. If we are to build a greater south africa that is not the way we should be handling matters. its such a shame‚ a big shame!”
Many said they would wait to hear Shivambu’s side of the story.
Leina lame ke Kwena asked‚ “Since when does being a journalist grant a free-pass for insult‚ disrespect and general abuse?
“For all we know‚ the holy journalist swore Floyd's mother! We do not know yet. Until you know and understand the entire cause of this‚ reserve judgement for it would be from ignorance.”