Media reports that ANC Women's League president and Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini was allegedly drunk at a party event prompted an extraordinary rant, in her defense, from her spokesperson, Lumka Oliphant, on Wednesday.
Oliphant posted an foul-worded rant on Facebook defending her boss, claiming that she was not drunk, that she did not drink alcohol and would prefer to have it banned.
Poor Lumka Oliphant. pic.twitter.com/0VyzzEovNc
— Agent Provocateur (@De_Imperial) January 11, 2017
The Lumka Oliphant I know.... pic.twitter.com/iy7D6Qm7qY
— Outside Tshif Weep (@Sir_Bu) January 11, 2017
When Lumka Oliphant composed that status update. pic.twitter.com/UQbjlohbYt
— Quinton Mtyala (@mtyala) January 11, 2017
“Let me just tell you about the Bathabile Dlamini I know and her attitude towards alcohol. She does not want it (alcohol) and she does not consume it. If it were all up to her, South Africa would not be drinking, there would be no advertising.”
Before having her say about the minister, she said they were “accused of dancing for our food” when talking about what they know about any leader who may be unpopular.
“So today, allow me to dance for my food. Above all allow me to be vulgar. Anyone of you who wish to use this post for your articles, go the f*** ahead! Yes, the f*** ahead.”
Mzansi's reaction to Lumka Oliphant's letter pic.twitter.com/RrgT2JSD4A
— Name cannot be blank (@SelebeliMS) January 11, 2017
Oliphant said whoever had a problem with the minister’s politics could criticise her, but not her character.
“I have decided to take this alcohol matter to the gutter where you have taken it. If you have said that Bathabile drinks, I say that your mother is the whore of the town. You can identify an alcoholic because your mother is one,” she said.
"Lumka Oliphant" was trending on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon.