Johannesburg – Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has reported a complaint at the Brooklyn Police Station in Pretoria.
Minister Kubayi on Sunday, (30 March 2025), reported a case of fraud involving obstruction of justice, impersonation, cybercrime, defamation, and crimen injuria.
The complaint follows an article in a weekend newspaper that alleged Minister Kubayi was involved in a secret plot to pursue criminal charges against Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
The newspaper based its story on unverified WhatsApp chats.
In a statement made available to The Bulrushes, on Sunday, (30 march 2025) the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development said Minister Kubayi, has been made aware of “a fake WhatsApp conversation circulating online”.
The statement added: “This fabricated conversation falsely suggests that she has authorised and gave instructions for the prosecution of Deputy President Paul Mashatile.
“The minister strongly condemns this malicious and orchestrated smear campaign, which seeks to create division and pit her against the Deputy President.
“This is part of an orchestrated campaign, through certain unethical sections of the media, which seeks to tarnish the image of the minister.”
The department said in recent times there have been several attacks, political and personal, directed at Minister Kubayi, and “it has become quite clear that there are people who will stop at nothing to soil her name and reputation”.
The statement further said: “The Minister views this deliberate disinformation as a direct attack on the stability of both the government and the justice system.
“‘It is important to note that the fake conversation features a cellphone number closely resembling that of the Minister.
“Additionally, it falsely claims that the authorisation to prosecute has the concurrence of the President, purportedly communicated through the Minister in the Presidency.
“It further insinuates that the Ministers are involved in leaking information in collaboration with journalists.
“Minister Kubayi wishes to assure the public that she will neither be swayed nor be deterred from doing her job as a minister by these underhanded tactics.”
