On Sunday 5 September the hard-hitting South African journalist Redi Tlhabi got into a heated discussion with former president Jacob Zuma’s daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla on Twitter.
A ‘twar’ of words between Redi Tlhabi and Duduzile
Tlhabi is also known for authoring the book, Khwezi: The Remarkable Story of Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo, which covers the story of Jacob Zuma’s rape accuser Fezekile Ntsukela and reflects on the power-relation issues in our South African society.
The conversation between Tlhabi and Zuma-Sambudla started when Tlhabi responded to a tweet about the ongoing investigation of the Hawks about the KZN unrest.
Tlhabi subliminally tweeted about Duduzile Zuma having to appear in court because of her involvement in the Durban unrest and the arrest of Jacob Zuma. “…imagine being 36 & appearing in court on a Monday, over politicians who don’t give rat’s arse about you”.
They all think they can't be traced. You don't even need the Hawks. In 5 minutes….these minions can be found. Then they abandon Twitter. Shouldn't they stay & be bold? Imagine being 36 & appearing in court on a Monday, over politicians who don't give a rat's arse about you. https://t.co/MyG2qZSeRx
— Redi Tlhabi (@RediTlhabi) August 30, 2021
Tlhabi clears the air on Jacob Zuma rumours
Duduzile took it upon herself to directly respond to the tweet and accused Tlhabi of visiting Jacob Zuma’s Forest townhome as well as following him to his residence Genendendal in Cape Town Qhubeka.
The Same Politician You Used To Visit In His Forest Town Home…??? I Know Cause I Used To Open The Door For You…And It Didn’t End There, You Followed This Same Politician To Genendendal In CPT…Qhubeka And I’ll Open The Files…You Are Just Bitter!!! https://t.co/fEPp8OQkQT
— Dudu Zuma-Sambudla (@DZumaSambudla) September 4, 2021
Tlhabi did not let these accusations fly over her head. The journalist boldly referred to Zuma and his daughter as “vile and dishonest.” Additionally, the journalist referred back to the rape case against Jacob Zuma by Fezekile Kuzwayo and made it clear that she has never been in support of Jacob Zuma. To seal it up, Tlhabi mentioned that she only went to Zuma’s official residence in Dumbarton and denied ever going to his Forest townhouse as well as his visiting Genendendal residency.
You are TRULY your father's child. Vile & dishonest. You sat i court of law ,& justified his rapey predatory abuse of Fezeka Kuzwayo. So nothing will stop you doing it here. I have NEVER visited his Forrest Town home. I have NEVER been to Genadendal since Mbeki's presidency. But https://t.co/sdYaaCqVmR
— Redi Tlhabi (@RediTlhabi) September 5, 2021
Since then Tlhabi has paid no attention to any of the negative comments that target her integrity as a journalist. She has rather humorously responded to some of the pictures that have surfaced since the heated discussion between her and Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla
