Latest news with #VumaFM
IOL News
a day ago
- Health
- IOL News
KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane hits back at corruption claims, calls allegations a 'smear campaign'
KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane says corruption and nepotism claims are part of a political smear campaign, and she remains focused on delivering quality healthcare to the people of KwaZulu-Natal. Image: Supplied KZN MEC of Health Nomagugu Simelane said she won't play politics with people's lives or allow personal attacks to derail the work of her department. 'I will not play politics with people's lives. I will not lower myself to the level of those who seek to destabilise, distract, and destroy,' she said in a statement addressing a series of allegations that have surfaced on social media, in the press, and on various platforms in recent weeks. Simelane described the claims as part of a 'targeted campaign of misinformation' aimed at damaging her reputation and that of her family. She said she had remained largely silent until now because she was focused on delivering the province's critical health budget, which she tabled on Tuesday. IOL previously reported that the MK Party had called for Simelane's resignation, accusing her of corruption and alleging that her family business, Kwazi-Gugu Investments CC, received duplicate payments worth R1.42 million from the provincial Agriculture Department. The MK Party further claimed that her family continued receiving state financial support while she served as Health MEC, and linked her to a 2008 farm loan granted by Ithala Bank, allegations Simelane has dismissed as 'false and malicious.' 'Now that the budget has been delivered, and with it, real plans to strengthen our healthcare system, I want to take a moment to set the record straight and address the stories that are currently circulating,' she said. Simelane defended her department's stance on hospital access following protests related to the treatment of undocumented foreign nationals. She said her duty is to uphold the Constitution, not to discriminate. 'Every person, regardless of their nationality, has the right to emergency medical care. Denying that would be illegal and inhumane,' she said. She condemned protesters who blocked hospitals, calling the act unacceptable and dangerous. 'Peaceful protest is allowed, but blocking access to hospitals is not,' she said. 'That's why we worked to keep our facilities open and safe for patients.' While she acknowledged that illegal immigration is a national issue, she insisted healthcare 'must never, ever be considered a privilege, but a fundamental right to be enjoyed equitably by all.' Responding to allegations that she interfered with Vuma FM, leading to the removal of former broadcaster Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, Simelane said: 'Let's be absolutely clear. I did not instruct or influence Vuma FM to fire Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. ''The station itself has confirmed that her contract expired as part of its internal HR processes,'' she said. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ She also dismissed claims of a voice recording allegedly implicating her, calling them 'false.' 'There is no such thing. I respect media freedom, but this freedom comes with responsibility to report fairly and accurately.' Simelane said she had taken legal steps to stop the 'spread of lies' and to protect the integrity of her office. Furthermore, Simelane also addressed accusations around her family's farm, saying the loan it received from Ithala Bank was issued in 2008, years before she held any influential role in agriculture. 'In 2008, I was a junior official employed within a completely different department. I had resigned from the family company in 2004 – four years before that loan was issued,' she said. She emphasised that her family applied for agriculture support through legal departmental processes, with no influence from her.' She maintained that the support her family farm received through the Department of Agriculture followed 'open and regulated processes' and that she had no influence in those decisions. 'These applications were approved – without any input or involvement whatsoever from me,' Simelane said. 'All procurement was managed through the department's own supply chain processes and chosen service providers.' She said a full and detailed report has been submitted to the Premier. On nepotism allegations, Simelane defended her siblings' qualifications and appointments. 'My sister was appointed to her position through a transparent process. I was not involved in any way. She earned her place,' she said. She described claims of fake CVs as 'false and desperate,' adding that her family 'has taken advantage of one thing: education.' Regarding her brother, she added: 'He is a finance professional with 15 years of experience and verifiable formal qualifications.' 'I do not do nepotism. I do service,' Simelane insisted. 'These personal attacks won't divert me from working in accordance with my mandate: to improve healthcare delivery for every person in this province,' she said. 'While the noise gets louder, so will my commitment to doing the work. Because that's what real leadership looks like.' Simelane said she believes the flurry of allegations,surfacing around the same time, are politically motivated and part of a deliberate smear campaign. 'This past weekend saw an array of sensational rumours emerge online, blatantly designed to mislead the public and shake confidence in the work of my department,' she said. 'They are part of a calculated and mischievous smear campaign.' Despite this, Simelane said she remains focused on delivering health services to the province and serving the people of KwaZulu-Natal. 'Leadership should never be determined by threats or intimidation, but by truth, service, and due process,' she said. 'I will not bow to those tactics. ''I will continue to do what I have done since 2004: serve, lead, and strive for a stronger, fairer, and more dignified healthcare system in KwaZulu-Natal.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Former Vuma FM presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma to lead anti-immigration march in Durban
Former Vuma FM presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma is stepping into the public spotlight again, this time at the helm of a controversial march against illegal immigration. Jacinta is spearheading the 'March and March' movement, a public protest set to take place on August 1 at Gugu Dlamini Park in Durban. The initiative, driven largely through social media mobilisation, aims to raise awareness about the perceived impact of illegal immigrants on communities. 'I've decided I won't sit back and be a spectator,' she said in an exclusive interview with TshisaLIVE. 'I want to be part of the change. That's how we started March and March, with people from social media, making sure we march until our voices are heard.' The broadcaster-turned-activist said her motivation stems from concerns raised by South Africans over the years, many of which she encountered through her work in radio.
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Here's why Jacinta 'MaNgobese' Zuma is no longer on Vuma FM
Vuma FM has set the record straight on Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma's departure from the station. After weeks of speculation surrounding her departure, with some claiming she was 'dismissed' due to her links with the March in March movement in Durban, where protesters were demanding illegal immigrants leave the country, Vuma FM said her contract with the station had ended. 'The recent decision made by Vuma FM not to renew Ngobese-Zuma's contract as presenter at Vuma FM is not a dismissal but a natural conclusion of an independent contractor's term,' it said. 'All our presenter contracts are subject to annual renewal at the station's discretion, a standard practice in our industry. Vuma FM made the line-up changes based on internal, annual evaluation and not influenced by any external party. 'We would like to thank Ngobese-Zuma for her contribution to the station and wish her well in the future.'
IOL News
24-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma threatens legal action against ANC over misleading statement
Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma is taking legal action against ANC KZN, accusing the party of issuing a misleading statement that unfairly links her Vuma FM exit to political interference. Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO/Independent Newspapers A prominent South African socialite and radio personality Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma has instructed her legal team to take swift action against the African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) unless the party retracts a statement concerning her recent departure from Vuma FM. Ngobese-Zuma's frustrations mounted following the ANC's media release, which she vehemently described as "misleading"; stating it jeopardised her reputation and had the potential to damage her public image. What also irked Ngobese-Zuma about the statement was the ANC asserting that she asked for the party's leaders to be "lynched". "The statement is not only unfortunate; it is riddled with misleading statements that erode my good name, particularly when the catchphrase has no nexus to the contents of the statement," said Ngobese-Zuma in her media statement The ANC's initial remarks were delivered in a statement titled "ANC KZN welcomes Vuma FM pronouncement on Ngobese-Zuma's contract and cautions against public lynching of its leaders." When reached for comment, ANC KZN spokesperson Fanle Sibisi indicated that the matter was now in the hands of their attorneys and refused to comment further, stating, "We can't say much now; we are going to apply our minds and we will make pronouncements in due course." Amid the unfolding legal drama, Ngobese-Zuma was also gearing for a full-blown demonstration on August 1 in Durban's CBD, as part of her March on March movement's mobilisation against illegal immigrants. The demonstration seeks to raise awareness regarding the growing influx of immigrants into South Africa, with some calling for the mass deportation of illegal immigrants. According to Xolani Zuma, the organiser of the march, the demonstration aims to prioritise the needs of South African citizens, while calling for the arrest and prosecution of corrupt officials who were allegedly allowing undocumented immigrants to infiltrate the country. "The government has very limited resources to provide healthcare for South Africans, and the increase in the number of undocumented immigrants puts more strain on the shallow public purse,' he explained. Zuma also highlighted various challenges brought about by illegal immigration, like rising crime rates attributed to undocumented immigrants, drug cartels, and human trafficking. He expressed concern over the difficulties faced by local law enforcement in identifying offenders amid allegations of officials selling identities to illegal immigrants. The March on March movement, which initially began as a grassroots effort on Facebook, was sparked by Ngobese-Zuma's call for increased awareness about the issues of illegal immigration. The movement's core mission was to urge local municipalities to reclaim hijacked buildings, which they claim contribute to the escalating crime rate in the region. DAILY NEWS
IOL News
23-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Investigations demanded against KZN MECs amid corruption claims
THE MEC of Education in KwaZulu-Natal, Sipho Hlomuka whose department is embroiled in allegations of tender irregularities regarding the school nutrition programme THE MEC of Health in KwaZulu-Natal, Nomagugu Simelane, has distanced herself from allegations that she had a hand in the abrupt termination of Vuma FM presenter, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma's contract. TRIBUNE REPORTER ACTIONSA has written to KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, urging him to investigate Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane and Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka on various allegations levelled against them. The DA has also joined the fray and asked the Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gqurube to take over the R2.9 billion National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP). The party also welcomed the commitment by KZN Finance MEC, Francois Rodgers, to initiate a preliminary investigation following serious allegations of corruption implicating Hlomuka and several ANC-linked figures within the administration of the NSNP. Simelane is facing allegations of abuse of power and interfering in the abrupt termination of Vuma FM presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma's contract. The allegations surfaced earlier this week, and KZN Health was swift in quelling the rumours, issuing a statement after hours on Monday distancing the MEC from the allegations, adding that as a woman she would never do such a thing against another woman. Ngobese-Zuma is the founder of the anti-illegal immigration movement, March and March, which has had a few brushes with the health department over the members of the movement blocking undocumented immigrants from accessing public healthcare facilities. ActionSA leader in KZN, Zwakele Mncwango, said the premier shouldn't hide behind the deals of the government of provincial unity (GPU) to drag his feet at launching an investigation against the MECs. Hlomuka is embroiled in the school nutrition tender of his department, with his wife's company being one of the chosen bidders to supply food at various schools. "We are writing to you to express our deep concern regarding the serious allegations of irregularities, corruption, and abuse of power within the Department of Health and Education. These allegations undermine the public's trust in the provincial department and its commitment to good governance, accountability, and transparency," reads ActionSA's letter. "Specifically the allegations against the MEC of Health regarding the abuse of power in relation to Vuma FM and the presenter Jacinta Ngobese, as well as the allegations of interference in the tender process for the nutrition programme by the MEC of Education, are grave and require immediate attention. "It is particularly concerning that you have remained silent on these matters, despite your previous rhetoric on issues such as illegal immigration. Notably, Jacinta Ngobese has been a vocal advocate against illegal immigration, and it is alarming that she is allegedly being victimised for her stance. Your silence on this matter raises questions about your commitment to protecting those who speak out against issues you have publicly condemned." Vuma FM issued a statement yesterday denying the Health MEC's involvement in the termination of Ngobese-Zuma's contract; however, just last month the station unveiled its new lineup with her still being the presenter of the midmorning show, The Cruise. The allegation was that Simelane had threatened to pull out all Department of Health advertising from the station, and she would also encourage other departments to do the same if Ngobese-Zuma was not removed. Yesterday, the Health MEC was on Ukhozi FM and clarified that the March and March movement, like every person, has a right to protest; however, every person in South Africa has a right to access health services if they are sick. She said her department can't turn away sick people from their facilities regardless of their immigration status, as it would open floodgates of legal action against the department. Simelane explained their conundrum as the department on undocumented immigrants citing the example of turning away a TB patient and the ripple effect it would have on them travelling by taxis and infecting other passengers who in turn infect others. She said there are discussions underway at the national level on a plan to have the immigrants' countries of origin help South Africa fund their healthcare. The DA's spokesperson on education, Sakhile Mngadi, who's also a member of the provincial legislature, said, "In the event that the allegations prove true, MEC Sipho Hlomuka must be removed from office without delay. Corruption cannot be tolerated at the expense of hungry children and the future of our province." And businesses that operate under the NSNP have also complained about irregularities and favouritism in the bidding process. The spokesperson for the Department of Education, Muzi Mahlambi, said, "The process is underway and has not been finalised for anyone to cry foul." He said they have no knowledge of these allegations, and those bidders who feel aggrieved know the relevant platform where to report their allegations. The programme has always had challenges like budget constraints and payment delays to service providers. Yesterday the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, in a statement, welcomed Vuma FM's clarification on Ngobese-Zuma's contract and said this should put to bed the unfounded allegations against Simelane. On the issue of the nutrition tender, the ANC said, "The ANC understands that this process is at an appeal stage where those who have made bids and seek to appeal must forward their appeals to the Treasury Department. The ANC has full confidence that the provincial government has adequate capacity to handle appeals in a just and transparent manner."
