South Africans were glued to their screens on Thursday evening, the 17th December 2020 ahead of an exclusive interview by eNCA which featured the estranged wife of former Minister Malusi Gigaba, that aired around the hours of 18:00.
During the 30-minute long interview, Norma Mngoma alleges that herself and estranged husband often visited the controversial Gupta family at their compound in Saxonwold, where the former minister received huge amounts of cash.
Although the motive for the exclusive interview is yet to be established, it certainly depicts the abyss between public interest and eNCA’s hoodwink slogan – “No fear. No favour.” In its apparent modus operandi, it vindicates Unathi Kondile who shed light on the rise of desktop journalism harvesting news from Twitter; and it seems that in the same frame eNCA invited a sense of sensationalism to feed onto its appetite for viewership.
Whilst Norma Mngoma’s allegations could be challenged under oath and may equally be incriminating to her in various ways, notably if she fails to provide evidence or is framed as an accomplice if they are proved to be true; eNCA made no inquiry towards their crimen injuria charged guest regarding her direct involvements during her husband’s tenure in the portfolios he served, including claims that she assisted him with technology when he was still Minister of Home Affairs; insulting text messages to Peterson Khanyisani Siyaya, to mention a few – as a clear practice of their slogan.
Perhaps even inadvertently, the interview flared Norma’s ignorance on public affairs and her malicious attempts to defame her estranged husband as their divorce proceedings are underway, which is demeaning to her and moreover could ensue harassment for their children.
