“Who is going to pay for this?”: Kubayi’s Facebook legal fight sparks questions – Briefly News

Global site navigationPAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!SOUTH AFRICA — Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi is pursuing legal action against a Facebook page operating under the name "Baas Kruger" following a sustained disinformation campaign targeting her.The Ministry of Justice confirmed the decision in an official media statement released on 6 November 2026, citing cyberbullying and the repeated publication of false allegations against the minister. Journalist Yusuf Abramjee posted a statement on X. The statement noted that the ministry had made multiple requests for the account operator to cease the campaign before legal steps were initiated.Read alsoBonang Matheba reacts to R76 million DSAC irregular expenditure reportThe dispute centres on a doorstep interview conducted during the ANC Siyanqoba Rally in the Eastern Cape, where SABC journalist Samkele Maseko posed a question to Minister Kubayi about the March and March movement being "squeezed like cranberries." The "Baas Kruger" Facebook page subsequently attributed the phrase directly to the minister, presenting it as her own words.PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.The Ministry clarified that the "squeezed like cranberries" remark was part of Maseko's question and was never uttered by Kubayi, who recently defended the Conspiracy and Incitement Bill. The statement described attributing words to a public official that she did not say as unacceptable and said the legal action was intended to protect the minister's dignity and reputation.View the statement on X: The announcement drew sharp public scrutiny, particularly over the use of a government letterhead and official ministry logo in what several users viewed as a personal matter.Read alsoTumisho Masha faces backlash after marked ballot paper post draws election warning@NkanyisoW43991 raised the concern directly:@JeanneNiekerk asked simply: @Ddawg86 added: @Celumus13360613 commented: In a related article, Briefly News reported on the March and March Movement’s challenge to Kubayi to debate its leader, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, live on air.The challenge followed Kubayi’s warning that the government would not allow anarchy, after reports that the movement planned to defy a court order. Many South Africans doubt she will accept the invitation, which the movement says must be held within seven days of the local government elections.PAY ATTENTION: Stay informed and follow us on Google News!Source: Briefly News Tebogo Mokwena (Current Affairs editor) Tebogo Mokwena is a senior current affairs writer at Briefly News. With a Diploma in Journalism from ALISON, he has a strong background in digital journalism, having completed training with the Google News Initiative. He began his career as a journalist at Daily Sun, where he worked for four years before becoming a sub-editor and journalist at Capricorn Post. He then joined Vutivi Business News in 2020 before moving to Briefly News in 2023. Email: tebogo.mokwena@briefly.co.za source