[imagesource: Twitter / @samkelemaseko]
The DA’s Gauteng leader, Solly Msimanga, was left with a bloody mouth and a cut above his eye following an altercation in Benoni yesterday.
According to reports, Msimanga was punched by an ‘unidentified businessman’ who claimed that the politician owed him R1,4 million.
The first video to do the rounds shows the businessman calling Msimanga “a liar and a thief” with some finger-wagging thrown in for good measure.
Speaking to TimesLIVE, DA Gauteng chairperson Fred Nel said “Msimanga categorically asserts that he owes no-one any such money and will consider laying charges against the assailant”:
According to Nel, Msimanga was on a social visit to his cousin in Benoni when the assailant, a business partner of the cousin, attacked a family member. Msimanga tried to intervene when he, too, was attacked.
“While on video, the assailant then accused Msimanga, who was on the phone to police, of owing him money,” said Nel.
As you can see, the punch appears to have landed:
[JUST-IN] DA Gauteng Leader @SollyMsimanga was beaten up. “This is what happens to liars and thieves” #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/aMMWWqafNd
— #TheLordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) May 6, 2021
Later, footage emerged showing the moment Msimanga was struck in the face, after pushing the businessman.
The two men are then separated by onlookers:
I told you I’ll get the actual video of Solly Msimanga ‘s beating before @Abramjee pic.twitter.com/EkSueSPQAB
— K U L A N I (@kulanicool) May 6, 2021
Another widely shared video shows the businessman apologising to Msimanga, adding that there is no outstanding debt:
The two gentlemen talking it out. #sollymsimanga #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/OVctr8wYi2
— #TheLordOfTheMedia (@samkelemaseko) May 6, 2021
Nel went on to say that the businessman also offered to pay Msimanga’s medical expenses, and other losses he may have suffered.
The Citizen reports that the businessman has since been arrested. It is unclear whether or not Msimanga has pressed charges.
Welcome to another day of the circus that is South African politics.
