Comedian SUES after being doxed as X troll
Durban comedian Mohammed Vawda has gone through with plans to sue Independent Media and chairman Iqbal Survé after they doxed him as X political spy named “Goolam MV”.
On Monday, 15 July, the media group held a press conference in which they accused Vawda of being a “puppet” responsible for “harassment, defamation and spreading misinformation” of multiple political figures.
The company has since deleted its accusations.
On his Instagram account, Mohammed Vawda clapped back at Independent Media’s claims that he was behind the “Goolam” ghost X account.
In a video post, he said, “It’s false allegations; I have nothing to do with this, and I don’t get involved in any type of politics.”
He continued: “My family and I are getting threats, and this is ridiculous. I cannot believe that this was put in the media. For me, this is the scariest thing that can happen. I am fearful for my life”.
Vawda – a full-time UKZN lecturer and part-time stand-up comedian who also presents a show on Lotus FM – captioned the clip: “I thought it was a prank…May justice be served & may this be a reminder to all who peddle fake news to think twice before posting something that could ruin an innocent person’s life. I am not Goolam”.
On Tuesday, Vawda revealed that he had served Independent Media with a letter of demand. In it, e accused the group of making “false, defamatory, and armful statements” about him.
Part of the papers read: “You have condemned an innocent man. Your conduct amounts to a blatant, reckless, and disgraceful act of disinformation and character assassination.”
Vawda is demanding a retraction and apology, both in online and print media. He is also demanding a media briefing apology.
‘GOOLAM’ ACCUSEE: ‘NOT THE ONLY MOHAMMED VAWDA IN KZN’
Speaking to Cape Talk, the Durban comedian claimed he was “not the only Mohammed Vawda in KwaZulu-Natal.”
He said: “I was astonished as to why they made the connection between me and the account.”
He added that the media group had not reached out to him for comment before their published allegations. Vawda had been forced to move his wife and children to a safe house after they received death threats.
Meanwhile it has since been revealed that Mohammed Vawda’s legal representation, Rupert Candy Attorneys, will take on his case pro bono.
Music artist The Kiffness revealed that he had reached out to Vawda following his troubled video post.
He tweeted: “I initially reached out to Mohammed to offer help, but I’ve also found a new friend. We may come from different faiths, but in our short time of knowing each other, we have confided in God and declared that He is in control.
“He will turn this test into a great testimony.”