Cape Town — Mohammed Yacoob Vawda is fearing for his life after he was unmasked as the alleged man behind the “@Goolammv” account on X, known for being pro-Cyril Ramaphosa.
Independent media unveiled the man through its Unmasking Project – aimed at exposing individuals and networks that have been working to undermine the country’s hard-fought democracy, IOL reported.
Among those to attend the launch of the project included Independent Media and IOL staff, Executive chairman of Independent Media, Dr Iqbal Survé, and former Minister of Intelligence, Lindiwe Sisulu, among others.
During the debriefing, the man behind the “@Goolammv” X account was unmasked as Mohammed Yacoob Vawda, a 37-year-old from Durban who is associated with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), and SABC. He holds a PhD and is also known as a stand-up comedian and radio personality.
HAPPENING NOW🔴 Independent Media has revealed Mohammed Yacoob Vawda as the person behind the controversial X account, Goolam. This exposure is part of their Media Unmasking Project, which is currently being presented in a briefing. pic.twitter.com/yVBo0BJhiz
— MEHMET VEFA DAG (@AFRICANDEMOC) July 15, 2024
Vawda responded to the allegations by expressing fears for his life and safety, and claimed he knows nothing about the social media account.
In a video circulating on X, he denied the allegations.
“A lot of things have been circulating about me nationally, that I am some guy behind one Twitter [X] account, and I am definitely not that guy. I don’t even use Twitter. I haven’t used Twitter for like eight years. It’s false allegations, I have nothing to do with this. I don’t get involved in any type of politics at all. I am getting threats, my family is getting threats. This is absolutely weird and ridiculous,” Vawda said.
While the Goolam posts about politicians, seemingly gives them sleepless nights, Vawda said he did not know much about the dynamics of the political arena and he could not believe the allegations, claiming he does not know the people in politics bar some political leaders.
“This is the weirdest and scariest news that could ever happen, and I’m very fearful for my life. I’m really scared. I honestly have nothing to do with this whole thing,” he said.
Mohammed Yacoob Vawda who Independent Media accused of being behind the controversial account (@goolammv) has released a statement denying the allegations.
The UKZN lecturer and part-time comedian said he is worried these allegations can put him and his family in danger. pic.twitter.com/dHbY5Jw4MR
— Thabiso Goba (@ThabisoGoba2) July 15, 2024
After the briefing, the ghost social media account Goolam took to Twitter to ridicule the claims.
“Iqbal Survé has exposed me for the fourth time. First I was a journalist who was part of a Kathrada funeral WhatsApp group. Then I was Thabo working in Pravin’s [Gordan] office. Then I was Tasneem working in GCIS. Today, Iqbal Survé claims I am Muhammed Vawda, a stand-up comedian. Every time he ‘exposed me’, they did articles about me. Today [Monday] they had a full press conference. I am so important,” Goolam tweeted with laughing emoticons.
MAJOR BREAKING:
IQBAL SURVE HAS EXPOSED ME FOR THE 4th TIME.
First I was a journalist that was part of a Kathrada Funeral WhatsApp group. Then I was a Thabo working in Pravins office.
Then I was Tasneem working in GCIS.
Today @IqbalSurve claims I am a MOHAMMED VAWDA, a… pic.twitter.com/n1EHJ3jWVM— Goolam (@goolammv) July 15, 2024
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Picture: X/@lungelo_khoza_2
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
