The Department of Defence has condemned the circulation of mocking and misleading images of Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga on social media, dismissing claims that she is physically unfit to carry out her duties.
The backlash erupted after an AI-generated image showing Motshekga walking with a wooden stick went viral, sparking a wave of mocking and inflammatory commentary. Some users shared posts claiming:
@Thabiso Mrmayor Sithole said: “500-year-old Defence Minister Angie Motshekga shows up to a SANDF meeting with a walking stick, says it’s for ‘protection’.”
Simphiwe (@simphiwetwala53) wrote: “Our Minister of Defence, Mme Angie Motshekga, with a walking stick. Seriously, @MYANC comrades are taking us South Africans for fools. No wonder we have such porous borders.”
Others came to Minister Motshekga’s defence on social media. @ChueneKhathu wrote: “Her role is not fitness. She was appointed by her party (ruling party) to make sure she applies the party policies in the department. She doesn't have to display fitness.
Meanwhile, Vuyiswa Nkosi (@VuyiswaNkosi) pointed out that the viral image was digitally manipulated: “This is an AI generation and not a real photograph. Notice a defect in the form of another walking stick underneath her left hand...”
Defence spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said that the Department has noted with concern the circulation of misleading and disparaging portrayals of the Minister on certain social media platforms.
“These portrayals, which attempt to present the Minister as a very old woman incapable of walking without a walking stick, are false, malicious, and intended to undermine the dignity of the office.”
Dlamini described the posts as a clear example of sexism and misogyny, stating that they foster disrespect toward women in a country that prides itself on laws protecting the rights of everyone, especially women and children.
“It is very easy to insult, denigrate and disrespect women a factor that is fuelling GVB whereas men in the same age category are never ridiculed and despised,” he said.
The Department reiterated that it finds these portrayals despicable, full of revulsion of women, and dismisses them with the contempt they deserve. It must be stated upfront and in no uncertain terms that the Minister is well, in good health, with full faculties, and continues to perform her duties diligently as required by the Constitution.
“Any suggestion to the contrary is a deliberate falsification and an insult to the person of the Minister, aimed at casting aspersions and misleading the public,” Dlamini added.
The Star
masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za