‘Disrespectful’ social development department spokesperson refuses to answer questions in English
Social development department spokesperson Lumka Oliphant refused to speak in English during an interview with Talk Radio 702, continuing the department’s trend of shutting down mainstream media’s questions around the social grants crisis.
In a brief interview with host Xolani Gwala, Oliphant ignored requests from Gwala that she “respect the medium” and answer questions in English for the benefit of all his listeners.
After refusing the request a second time, Gwala ended the interview, saying that it was clear that Oliphant did not want to be on the programme.
Radio 702 is an English- medium station, and Oliphant has also previously been interviewed on 702 and spoke in English.
On Sunday (5 March) in a Q&A session after a statement by the department, social development minister Bathabile Dlamini refused to answer questions posed by eNCA, pressing for information about the department’s plans to pay 17 million grants on April 1st.
The minister accused the media of creating chaos and pushing their own agenda around the matter, and refused to comment on anything that could “cause issues”.
Before speaking to Oliphant, Gwala spoke to Net1 CEO Serge Belamant about a reported agreement reached between Cash Payment Services and Sassa. Belamant confirmed that an agreement had been reached on a new contract, but that nothing had been signed off.
According to the CEO, it was his understanding that Sassa and the department of social development had the power to sign an ’emergency contract’, allowing for tender processes to be sidestepped – however, such an agreement needed to be approved by National Treasury.
Before shutting down discussion on 702, Oliphant spoke on other stations where she was quoted saying that the department of social development cannot comment on Treasury’s behalf regarding the Sassa grants crisis.
Oliphant sparked controversy earlier in the year when she took to social media in an expletive-laden rant, where she defended Dlamini from what she called ‘attacks from the media’. She later apologised for the rant.
Read: Social development minister refuses to answer tough questions on grants crisis
Loading ...