MultiChoice apologises to Kaizer Chiefs after 'boMabena' tweet

30 July 2019 - 12:44
By Ofentse Ratsie
Tsietsi Majoro Kaizer Chiefs Champion Coach during the Carling Black Label Cup Match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates on the 27 July 2019 at FNB Stadium.
Image: Sydney Mahlangu/ BackpagePix Tsietsi Majoro Kaizer Chiefs Champion Coach during the Carling Black Label Cup Match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates on the 27 July 2019 at FNB Stadium.

Pay-TV operator MultiChoice have apologised to Kaizer Chiefs after a tweet posted on DSTV's official Twitter account rubbed the club and fans up the wrong way.

The pay channel incurred the wrath of fans after referring to AmaKhosi as "boMabena" in a premiership promotional tweet and many of the club's supporters are so incensed that they are threatening to cancel their subscriptions.

Chiefs are also not amused and the club told SowetanLIVE that an investigation into the offending post is underway.

"Social media commentary can often be in jest and‚ in this instance‚ was never intended to be offensive‚" said MultiChoice in a response to questions from SowetanLIVE.

"Of course we apologise to anyone who may have been offended‚ especially Amakhosi supporters. However‚ the tweet should be read in the context of sports banter."

Mabena has become a popular phrase to describe a person who is constantly a disappointment.

It was coined after a video went viral on social media earlier this year showing an army instructor shouting disapproving comments at a man called Mabena.

Chiefs communication officer Vina Maphosa said they are still weighing its options after seeing the tweet.

"I am saying the matter appeared after hours and I have seen it personally‚" he said.

"I can't say anything from where I am standing‚ I saw it overnight and I will report it to our office.

"I will hear what the club’s take is on the matter but I just observed it overnight and I can’t make a call on it."

Maphosa added that no action has been taken against DSTV as the matter is still being investigated by the club.

"It’s a matter that needs to be dissected internally and attended to accordingly‚" he said.

"And it's a matter of concern‚ but I want to hear from the club as to whether it necessitates some response or not.

"It is not something that I can formulate as my own personal reaction‚ it will need to be investigated thoroughly.

"Ja‚ so if the investigation necessitate pronouncement publicly‚ that will be done.

"But currently we are dealing with it‚ obviously based on what we're seeing or reading."