By Kaya 959 News
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has apologised for a tweet in which he appeared insensitive about the death of a bystander, during the Wits protests.
The minister said in a tweet: “My information is that there was no student who was being killed – fake news circulating.”
The person killed was 35-year-old Mtokozisi Ntumba – a family man with a wife and three children. It appears Mboweni did not know that at the time of his tweet.
Mboweni deleted the tweet after receiving major backlash from social media users.
Many, including EFF leader Julius Malema, felt it did not matter whether the person killed was a student or not.
“Life was lost during the peaceful student’s protest, which is not fake news. We know you don’t care, but some empathy will be beneficial now, Tito!!!” he replied.
Life was lost during the peaceful student’s protest, which is not fake news. We know you don’t care, but some empathy will be beneficial now, Tito!!!
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) March 10, 2021
In his apology, the minister said he did not mean to diminish the fact and tragedy of a loss of life.
“APOLOGY: My earlier tweet about the Wits protest meant to indicate that the person killed today was NOT a student, but this does not in any way diminish the fact and tragedy of a loss of life.
“I did not express myself clearly and for that I apologize. My deepest condolences,” he wrote.
APOLOGY: My earlier tweet about the Wits protest meant to indicate that the person killed today was NOT a student but this does not in any way diminish the fact and tragedy of a loss of life.
I did not express myself clearly and for that I apologize. My deepest condolences.— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) March 10, 2021
Apology not accepted
Despite his explanation, many social media users did not accept Mboweni’s apology.
“No need to apologise Sir. We just wanna thank you for showing us that you and your party don’t care about your people, can’t even pretend like you do,” one man wrote.
Another tweep added: “You have no shame wena mkhulu. Vele you dont respect us no love Africans.”
“We must value all life and not trivialize any loss of life. Students need more than this.
“They need their issues resolved, what are you [going] to do about the financial barriers to registering that they presently face? You are not a bystander, you are the minister of finance.”
We must value all life and not trivialize any loss of life.
Students need more than this. They need their issues resolved, what are you go to do about the financial barriers to registering that they presently face?
You are not a bystander, you are the minister of finance.
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) March 10, 2021
No need to apologise Sir. We just wanna thank you for showing us that you and your party don’t care about your people, can’t even pretend like you do.
— siyasamkela (@siyamtitshana) March 10, 2021
What was your point?! Ask yourself how that makes students think reading that tweet and this one? If it was a student would that have made it better or worse?
You lack empathy. This is all a PR exercise for you while you fiddle with technicalities.
— Tessa Dooms (@tessie18) March 10, 2021
Gasping for air
Meanwhile, the doctor who tried to save Ntumba said he is saddened by his patient’s passing.
Dr Tebogo Sedibe had treated him just before he left the clinic on Siemans Street in Braamfontein.
Police allegedly shot Ntumba, who was not part of the protests, with a rubber bullet just as he walked out of the clinic.
-
play_arrow
Tito Mboweni apologises for ‘insensitive’ Wits protest tweet Tamlyn



