Mbalula Faces Backlash for Announcing Mabuza’s Death on Social Media

ANC under fire after family says they learned of David Mabuza’s death online

The final days leading up to David Mabuza’s funeral have been marked by sorrow and controversy.

On Thursday, emotions ran high at the memorial service for the former deputy president, held just two days before his state funeral. Among the tributes and tears, Mabuza’s sister, Zandile, took the microphone and spoke a truth that struck a nerve with many South Africans: some family members had found out about his death not through a family meeting or official communication, but on social media.

The post in question? A tweet from ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula.

A Digital Announcement That Felt Too Impersonal

In a moment that should have been handled with careful coordination and respect, Mbalula’s announcement of Mabuza’s passing came via his personal Twitter account, before any official statement from the Presidency or the ANC was made.

While many followers offered condolences in the comments, others were stunned that such a significant death was revealed so casually, with no warning to the immediate family.

The backlash was swift, not only from the public but from within the ANC itself. According to reports from the Sunday Times, senior party members accused Mbalula of breaking protocol and acting unilaterally.

An Apology at the Mabuza Family Home

On Friday evening, Mbalula visited the Mabuza family in Barberton, Mpumalanga, to apologise in person.

“We followed protocol from our side,” he said. “But information was leaking out in bits and pieces, and the news quickly hit media platforms and social networks. Some family members found out that way. It was never deliberate.”

His comments seemed to acknowledge a messy and decentralised handling of a sensitive moment. Still, many questioned why he didn’t wait for the Presidency to issue a formal release, as is customary with high-ranking officials’ deaths.

Family spokesperson Desmond Moela confirmed they had accepted Mbalula’s apology, saying it was “genuine and heartfelt.”

[WATCH] For anything that may have happened that offended the family after Deputy President David Mabuza passed on, it would not have been deliberate on the part of everyone. I think that everyone was in shock after learning of his passing. On behalf of everyone, it is important… pic.twitter.com/8ex4fyBHvv

— ANC SECRETARY GENERAL | Fikile Mbalula (@MbalulaFikile) July 11, 2025

“I’m the Boss at Luthuli House”

Despite the apology, Mbalula has shown little interest in the internal criticism coming from his own party.

“I’m the boss of the ANC at Luthuli House,” he told journalists. “I communicate with families, and families communicate with me. That must be respected. The criticism is unfortunate and unfair.”

That statement has only fanned the flames of what some see as an ego-driven misstep.

A Painful Reminder of the Politics of Death

This isn’t the first time South Africa has seen public outcry over how deaths of political leaders are handled. In a country where funerals are not only deeply personal but also political stages, the way a leader’s death is announced and by whom, matters.

David Mabuza, often called “The Cat” for his elusive political maneuvers, was a quiet but central figure in the ANC for many years. His death marked the end of a complex chapter in South Africa’s political history.

But for his family, especially his sister Zandile, this wasn’t about politics, it was about respect. And in their eyes, that respect was momentarily lost when they were blindsided by a tweet.

Saturday’s Funeral: A Final Goodbye

Mabuza’s funeral began with a private family gathering on Saturday morning before transitioning to a Category 2 state funeral at Hoërskool Bergvlam in Mbombela. President Cyril Ramaphosa was scheduled to deliver the eulogy.

While the ANC may want to move past the controversy, it’s clear that how we handle the passing of leaders and how we communicate that news—matters more than ever in an age where information travels faster than protocol.

As Mabuza is laid to rest, perhaps the ANC can reflect not just on his legacy, but also on how to ensure that future goodbyes are delivered with the dignity families deserve.

{Source: IOL}

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