Somizi vs Dineo Ranaka: Criminal Case Pits Friends Against Each Other

Somizi vs Dineo Ranaka: Criminal Case Pits Friends Against Each Other

- Somizi and Dineo Ranaka have reportedly given prosecutors contradicting statements in relation to Somizi's case of spreading of fake news

- Fikile Mbalula opened the case of misinformation against SomG after the reality TV star claimed Mbalula told him about Mzansi's lockdown extension

- Somizi posted a video a few hours before President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the lockdown would be extended

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Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula's case against Somizi has reportedly pitted the Idols SA judge against his friend Dineo Ranaka.

Mbalula opened the case of misinformation against Somizi at the Sandton police station last year after the reality TV star took to Instagram and claimed that Mbalula had given him a heads-up about Mzansi's lockdown extension.

Somizi Vs Dineo Ranaka: Criminal Case Pits Friends Against Each Other
Somizi's criminal case has pitted him against his friend Dineo Ranaka. Image: @somizi, @dineoranaka
Source: Instagram

Somizi posted the video a few hours before President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the lockdown would be extended until the end of April 2020.

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Dineo is expected to take the stand when Somizi appears before the magistrate soon. Somizi handed himself at the Sandton police station in April last year and was later released on R1000 bail.

Sunday World reports that Dineo was subpoenaed by the National Prosecuting Authority to answer questions in relation to the case of misinformation or spreading of fake news. Even though Somizi apologised for his "bad joke" and "dangerous statement", Mbalula proceeded to open a case against him.

The publication reports that a source said Dineo, who is a presenter on Metro FM, gave a different version from that of the reality TV star. The source, who is close to the case, said the matter started when Somizi said he was only joking when he said Mbaks told him that the president was going to put the country on alert level 2 of lockdown.

The source revealed that Dineo said SomG did not state immediately that he was joking when he made the announcement on Instagram.

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Some Twitter users took to Sunday World's comment section and shared their thoughts on the case. Check out some of their comments below:

@justconsern wrote:

"We have serious case in this country @NPA_Prosecutes have time to play wasting taxpayers money."

@BenniGeeGas said:

"There's no case here. Rest."

Briefly News reported that a video surfaced on social media of Somizi telling his Metro FM workmate Dineo Ranaka that the lockdown would be extended, hours before President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement.

Briefly News learned that Somizi told Dineo that he heard the news from "Fikile". Mbalula is incensed by the fact that Somizi said that he told him that the lockdown would be extended before the president made the announcement.

Ranaka cut her stream as soon as Somizi said that Mbalula said the lockdown would be extended. Mbalula distanced himself from Somizi's claims and said that he would lay charges against the Idols judge, according to TimesLive.

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In other news, Briefly News reported that Somizi Mhlongo is known for his extravagant taste and luxurious vacations but he is also known for his wisdom. Every so often, the media personality drops some gems of knowledge with his fans and followers.

Recently the Idols SA judge took to social media to talk about dealing with hardship. He said that he chooses to smile through the pain because he knows that bad times never last.

Somizi encouraged his followers to ride out the wave of difficulties because things always get better. The media personality went on to lambaste those who revel in the tragedy of others. He slammed so-called friends who laugh at his loss and misery.

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Mxolisi Mngadi avatar

Mxolisi Mngadi (Editor) Mxolisi Mngadi is an entertainment reporter. He graduated in 2002 from Damelin with a Diploma in Journalism, majoring in African and International Studies, Journalism and Electronic Media. He then started his journalism career at the Daily Sun newspaper, went on to The Citizen, and worked as a senior reporter at News24. He has been a writer for more than 15 years.