Iqbal Survé and Lindiwe Sisulu's Discredited Unmasking Attempt Stirs Controversy

The South African media and political landscape were recently abuzz when former minister Lindiwe Sisulu and businessman Iqbal Survé convened a press event aimed at unmasking the people behind a controversial Twitter handle. The account, @Goolammv, has garnered attention for its stance against corruption and political indecisiveness, amassing over 122,000 followers. Sisulu, whose efforts at clinching the ANC presidential candidacy in 2017 were arguably tarnished by the account's influence, along with names like Zweli Mkhize and Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, sought to lay bare the identities of those operating it.

The presentation, however, ended in an anticlimax as the allegation targeting Mohammed Yacoob Vawda, a University of KwaZulu-Natal lecturer and comedian, was met with instant denial and a subsequent fear for his personal safety. Vawda denounced having any connections to @Goolammv, insisting he did not even possess a Twitter account. His rebuttal was stark, "This is very weird," Vawda expressed, further communicating his astonishment and concern regarding the media's dissemination of such a baseless claim. The situation intensified as offers of free legal support from the public flowed in for Vawda.

The gathering itself, which saw Sisulu dish out unsubstantiated accusations and self-incriminating revelations about her own conduct as former intelligence minister, cast further doubt on the credibility of both her and Survé's intentions. The backlash came swiftly from all corners, including social media solidarity and legal eagles flocking to Vawda's aid. Renowned legal minds like Ben Winks and Rupert Candy have since joined forces to represent Vawda.

Moreover, the backlash wasn't just limited to social media outrage. The Presidency weighed in too, with spokesperson Vincent Magwenya asking Sisulu to present credible evidence to the Director-General Phindile Baleni amidst her rogue intelligence surveillance claims. The fallout continued as alternate figures put forth by Survé, such as Tasneem Carrim, associated with the government's communication arm, were also named.

This event isn't just a social media sideshow, as it may carry serious implications for journalistic integrity, defamation, and the misuse of intelligence practices in the country. It appears to be a repeat performance for Survé, whose credibility was significantly damaged following the infamous “decuplets” news fiasco of 2021. For Sisulu, the failed exposé might be more than a personal embarrassment – it might call into question her understanding of the legal constraints of government surveillance.

As things stand, the real identity of @Goolammv remains cloaked in anonymity, with the Twitter account's assistant adding layers of satire to the ongoing debacle. The failed unmasking and its aftermath serve as a stark reminder of the dangerous overlap between politics, media, and personal vendettas in the public sphere.