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The Ministry of Social Development has been receiving enquiries on comments made by leader of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), General Bantubonke Holomisa that Minister Bathabile Dlamini flew to Willowvale to attend the funeral of Cde Dumisani Mafu on a CPS chartered flight.

The Ministry views the so called expose as nothing new but malicious and rehashed part of a prevailing narrative perpetuated by the opposition to tarnish the reputation of the Minister.

It is a pity that most of the media houses failed the basics of the time-honored balance required in journalism of independently verifying the facts before recklessly publishing this malicious lie by General Holomisa.

The funeral was declared an official provincial funeral by the Eastern Cape Government and it was broadcast live and anyone who cared about being truthful, objective and unbiased could have easily tried to get the recorded footage.

The Department regularly informs the media of the whereabouts of the Minister and on the days around the funeral, she addressed young people in Port Elizabeth on Friday July 22 for World Population Day at George Botha Sports Complex.

On July 23, she left in the morning for Pietermaritzburg to address pupils at Masijabulile High School, KwaSwayimani, her former high school.

"General Holomisa should refrain from spreading lies and concentrate on building his party," said Minister Dlamini.

Issued by GCIS on behalf of the Department of Social Development