‘Baas Kruger’ faces Kubayi legal action over Social comments
PRETORIA — Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has announced plans to pursue legal action against the person behind the Facebook account “Baas Kruger”, following a dispute over words her ministry says were spoken by a journalist but attributed to her. The ministry alleges that the account has repeatedly published false claims about Kubayi despite appeals to stop.
In a statement dated 6 November, the ministry said the latest controversy arose from a doorstep interview at the ANC’s Siyanqoba rally in the Eastern Cape. A circulating clip shows Kubayi responding to SABC journalist Samkele Maseko about the March and March movement being “squeezed like cranberries”.
According to the ministry, Maseko used that phrase in his question. It said Kubayi did not utter those words and rejected claims suggesting otherwise. TownPress has not independently reviewed the complete interview, and the ministry’s account of the exchange remains its stated position.
The ministry described the proposed legal action as a step to protect Kubayi’s dignity and reputation, alleging that repeated requests for the account to stop spreading disinformation had been ignored. It characterised the account’s conduct as cyberbullying, but the statement does not establish a judicial finding against its operator.
“Minister Kubayi remains accountable for her statements, but attributing words she did not utter to her is unacceptable,” the ministry said.
The announcement confirms a decision to pursue legal action, rather than a completed court process. It does not specify whether Kubayi intends to seek damages, an interdict or another remedy, and provides no case number or confirmation that proceedings have been filed.
No response from the account’s operator was available in the material reviewed. The full interview and the specific posts challenged by Kubayi would be central to establishing what was said and how it was subsequently represented. Further details of the intended proceedings remain outstanding.
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