Couple responds to online criticism
South African content creator Lungile Myende has broken her silence after a Facebook post sparked widespread criticism and allegedly resulted in death threats against her and her foreign-national boyfriend, David.
In a video shared on social media, Myende sought to clarify the circumstances surrounding the viral post, stressing that she is not apologising for her relationship with David, but rather for a joke that she believes was posted at the wrong time.
She also dismissed claims that she had insulted South Africans, saying the controversy stemmed from a single Facebook post that was misunderstood.
A post made in excitement
According to Myende, the post was published after she and David’s travel documents were approved, allowing them to visit other countries. She explained that she was excited by the news and decided to share it with her followers.
The post included a joke about the R75 Home Affairs fee, which she said was intended to be humorous. However, it was shared at a time when immigration issues and the presence of undocumented foreign nationals were dominating public discourse in South Africa.
As a result, the post attracted widespread criticism, prompting Myende to remove it from Facebook.
Threats followed the viral post
Myende alleged that the situation escalated after the post went viral, with both she and David receiving death threats.
According to her, some social media users accused her of betraying South Africa by dating a foreign national, while others allegedly called for the couple to be killed because of their relationship.
She maintained that she would never apologise for loving David, adding that the couple had been together long before the recent anti-immigration campaigns gained momentum.
David defends his legal status
David also addressed the controversy in the video, apologising for the misunderstanding caused by the Facebook post.
He stated that he is legally in South Africa and possesses valid documentation, including a visa that permits him to visit the country for six months at a time. He added that he had previously shared proof of his legal status on social media.
David further alleged that he has been threatened in public, claiming that some people have told him he would be killed because he was in a relationship with a South African woman.
Despite the backlash, he said he remains committed to his relationship with Myende.
Claims remain unverified
The allegations of death threats made by Myende and David have not been independently verified. At the time of publication, no official statement had been issued by law enforcement authorities regarding the claims made by the couple.
