Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, has faulted Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, over his handling of a controversy surrounding the livestream of his presentation of letters of credence.
Magwenya, in a statement, accused Fani-Kayode of misrepresenting Ramaphosa’s involvement in the incident, insisting that the South African President had no role in the operational affairs of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, SABC.
Fani-Kayode had earlier alleged that the South African Presidency deliberately excluded him and the Nigerian delegation from the livestream of a ceremony where 15 ambassadors presented their letters of credence to Ramaphosa in Pretoria.
He claimed that Nigeria was the only country whose ambassador’s introduction and speech were omitted from the broadcast. He also said he raised the issue directly with Ramaphosa, who subsequently summoned relevant officials and directed them to address the matter.
The Nigerian ambassador further disclosed that he declined an interview offered by SABC News in protest over what he described as the poor treatment of the Nigerian delegation.
However, hours after the controversy, the South African Presidency released the full video of the ceremony on its YouTube page, with Fani-Kayode’s speech included. This came after the initial livestream had omitted his introduction and address before resuming after his speech.
Reacting to the incident, Magwenya said Ramaphosa merely referred Fani-Kayode to Sophie Mokoena, whom he described as the appropriate person to address his grievance.
“Your Excellency, you refused to speak to Sophie Mokoena, who would have cleared the misunderstanding with you,” Magwenya stated.
He maintained that the President had no authority to interfere in the broadcaster’s operations or editorial decisions.
“The President carries no legal or political mandate to interfere with its operations or intervene in its editorial processes,” he said.
Magwenya also described Fani-Kayode’s handling of the matter as “grossly inappropriate” and urged him to meet with SABC officials to establish a “mutually beneficial, respectful and professional relationship” as he begins his diplomatic assignment in South Africa.
‘Grossly inappropriate’ - South African Presidency blasts Fani-Kayode