eNCA's Xoli Mngambi and Jane Dutton reportedly suspended

7 May 2020

NEWSWATCH: eNCA anchors, Xoli Mngambi and Jane Dutton have reportedly been suspended after they took to the airwaves on Monday, due to criticising the ban on cigarettes and singling out Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma...

Screengrab. Xoli Mngambi and Jane Dutton.

As reported by The South African, Mngami and Dutton said that President Cyril Ramaphosa – who had earlier announced that the ban on cigarette sales would be lifted under Level 4 restrictions – had been emasculated by Dlamini-Zuma, who declared the opposite a day before the restrictions were set to be eased slightly. According to the publication, although the presenters issued an apology on Tuesday morning, they've reportedly been suspended.

This is a very disappointing and shocking reporting by @eNCA and @XoliMngambi and #JaneDutton should be ashamed.

RT if you also think they are am embarrassment pic.twitter.com/idpdspOGhd
— Engineer Matšhela Koko (@koko_matshela) May 4, 2020

“Yesterday we made an unfortunate judgement call on President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma around the debacle on the cigarette ban, singling her out on the decision as if it were her own. This was unfair and unwarranted, especially after president Ramaphosa had provided clarity on the matter.”

Yesterday, @XoliMngambi and @JaneDutton made an unfortunate judgment call on President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cogta Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma around the debacle on the cigarette ban. Here's their apology. #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/tMNNWHVhyC
— eNCA (@eNCA) May 5, 2020

“As it is the practice here at eNCA, news anchors are allowed to make commentary on any matter of national importance and this is done purely to encourage debate. It is not done out of malice or personalised attacks on a particular leader.”