In a bid to address the circulation of a disturbing and malicious voice-note, the African National Congress (ANC) has announced a R100,000 reward for any information leading to the identification and arrest of those responsible. The voice-note, widely shared on social media, falsely implicates ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo and contains alarming threats against elderly women.

The voice-note, purportedly from Mtolo, shockingly suggests poisoning grandmothers who did not vote for the ANC, labeling them as “rotten Zulu elderly women” and “trash.” A second person in the recording claims that Mtolo is behind the hateful message and urges spreading the note to inform elderly people.

Responding to the situation, ANC provincial spokesperson Mafika Mndebele released a statement on Sunday condemning the voice-note as fake and defamatory. He emphasized the seriousness of using social media to spread false and harmful content, referencing the Cybercrimes Act of 2020 which makes such actions criminal offenses.

“We wish to alert WhatsApp group users and group administrators that in terms of the Cybercrimes Act of 19 of 2020, it is a criminal offence to use social media to fabricate and publish defamatory content. There will be severe consequences against criminals and individuals who are distributing this voice-note,” Mndebele stated.

Earlier, in an interview with eNCA, Mtolo acknowledged the unexpected impact of the MK Party in the recent elections. Formed only in December last year, the MK Party leads in KwaZulu-Natal with 45.32% of the vote, surpassing the Inkatha Freedom Party at 18.04% and the ANC at 17%. Mtolo admitted that the ANC had underestimated the MK Party’s influence, which has resonated with voters seeking an alternative to long-standing political entities.

“Based on the current elections, those parties that have been in power for longer were all punished by the MK Party,” Mtolo noted, adding that voters desired change.