Ngizwe Mchunu rejects claims he burned down his home, says attack left children traumatised

Controversial broadcaster rejects suggestion he burned his own home

Ngizwe Mchunu has denied claims that he deliberately set his house on fire, calling suggestions that he destroyed his property for attention “absurd”.

He says he was shaken by the blaze

Speaking to Durban Network Media & Podcast, Mchunu said he was shaken by the incident despite believing he had “grown not to be” frightened after years of living under pressure. He told the network that his bodyguards would be more frightened than he would if “something pops off, like a gun”:

“My bodyguards can tell you, if something pops off, like a gun, they’re the ones who get a fright, I have long erased that reaction to things from my system.”

Three men allegedly set parts of the house alight

According to Mchunu, three men allegedly stormed the property and set parts of the house on fire. He said the blaze had a deep effect on his children, who lost their sense of safety and had “their schoolwork, assignments and learning resources” destroyed.

“My children didn’t go to school; their class assignments burned down and other learning materials. But now, people are saying I burned down the house because I want attention.”

Claims of enemies and who might celebrate

Mchunu said he has many enemies and singled out Julius Malema and the LGBTQ+ community, saying some people might be “pleased to see him suffering”:

“I have a lot of enemies, including Julius Malema and the LGBTQ+ community. So, it’s their time to celebrate. But we’ll see who will end up on top.”

Allegation of a deliberate attack

Actor and anti-illegal immigration activist Nkosinathi Ndabandaba, known as Phakelumthakathi, said the fire at the rural homestead was a deliberate attack. He alleged a group of men arrived searching for Mchunu and that the house was found burning after they left:

“Those people came searching for Ngizwe. He wasn’t home. When they left, the children saw that the house was on fire,”

Police approached for comment

IOL has reached out to police for comment.