Check my phones, I didn't tell Somizi about lockdown extension: Mbalula
This comes after Mhlongo was heard on Metro FM radio host Deneo Ranaka's Instagram Live video saying the lockdown would be extended.
A video of the conversation is currently doing the rounds on social media, and it was widely shared just a few hours before President Cyril Ramaphosa officially announced a two-week extension of the national lockdown.
In it, Mhlongo can be heard saying the announcement would be made on Thursday night.
“Today they are announcing ... the extension, I am telling you. I was speaking to Fikile [Mbalula]," said Mhlongo.
Ranaka abruptly cuts off her live broadcast as soon as Mhlongo said it was Mbalula who he was referring to.
But in a tweet later in the evening, Mbalula denied telling Mhlongo about the extension of the lockdown.
He said that at no stage did he speak to Somizi about lockdown — and that “my phones can be checked or meet with him”.
“Just called him now to rectify,” tweeted Mbalula.
He later reposted a video on Mhlongo apologising for his comments.
In the video, Mhlongo goes on to explain that he did not speak to Mbalula but he was making a joke.
“I realise now that the president has announced an extension that it's going to seem like I knew about it.
“I'm just like you, I did not know about it, I was just guessing. I think like everybody else I had a feeling that it was gonna be extended,” said Mhlongo.
He then apologised to Mbalula over his “joke”.