A JOURNALIST and a government official nearly exchanged blows during a press briefing called by Mpumalanga MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs Madala Masuku in Nelspruit.

At some point in their tussle, the journalist shouted at the civil servant in isiZulu: "Ungangi jwayeli kabi (Don't underestimate me).

Tom Nkosi, of the bi-weekly newspaper Ziwaphi, had asked several questions - which had apparently angered cooperative governance and traditional affairs head of department David Mahlobo.

These included one in which he asked if the department was intending to release a report that would explain if it was true that the service delivery protests in the province were being instigated by three top ANC politicians, including one in the party's Johannesburg headquarters Luthuli House.

An irked Mahlobo accused Nkosi of "having an agenda and hiding behind journalism".

An exchange of tough words ensued between Nkosi and Mahlobo, prompting MEC Masuku to apologise to the media, and to withdraw Mahlobo's accusation.

During the break Mahlobo continued to accuse Nkosi of "hiding behind journalism".

"Tom (Nkosi) must stop hiding behind journalism and face the facts," Mahlobo said before another local journalist, Buks Viljoen, took him head on:

"So Tom is hiding behind journalism, and you (Mahlobo) are hiding behind blue lights and bodyguards?"

As Mahlobo continued attacking Nkosi, the journalist told him: "Stop mentioning my name, sir. I have respected and left you alone, so stop abusing my name."

That is when tempers flared up. Mahlobo started pointing fingers at Nkosi, threatening him with violence. Nkosi retorted: " I will beat you up, together with your bodyguard."

The department spokesman, Simphiwe Kunene, later apologised on behalf of the department but refused to get into details.

l Nkosi once reported in his newspaper that Mahlobo was the only HOD in South Africa who had the services of bodyguards and blue light vehicles.