Cape Town – Controversial media personality and BhincaNation president Ngizwe Mchunu has denied allegations that he intentionally set his own home on fire in an attempt to gain sympathy or public attention.
Speaking to Durban Network Media & Podcast, Mchunu dismissed the claims as “absurd”, insisting that no sane person would destroy their own property and traumatise their family for publicity.
The outspoken former radio presenter was responding to speculation that emerged after a fire broke out at his home, allegedly after three men stormed the property and set parts of it ablaze over the weekend.
At the time, he was in Johannesburg, eNCA reported.
Mchunu admitted that the incident left him shaken, despite years of living under pressure and controversy.
“Like everyone else, I was deeply shocked, even though I have grown not to be,” he said.
“My bodyguards can tell you, if something pops off, like a gun, they’re the ones who get a fright, I have long erased that reaction to things from my system.”
Reflecting on the incident, Mchunu said Zulu tradition teaches people to first examine themselves when tragedy strikes.
“In the same vein, in Zulu tradition, when something happens, one has to look at oneself before anyone else,” he explained.
The BhincaNation leader also claimed he has many enemies and suggested that some people were celebrating his suffering.
“I have a lot of enemies, including Julius Malema and the LGBTQ+ community. So, it’s their time to celebrate. But we’ll see who will end up on top,” he said.
Mchunu further rejected online claims that he may have staged the fire himself, saying the damage caused had deeply affected his children, whose school materials and assignments were destroyed in the blaze.
“No matter how drunk one can get, you wouldn’t sleep and wake up and choose to burn your own house down,” he said.
“My children didn’t go to school; their class assignments burned down and other learning materials. But now, people are saying I burned down the house because I want attention.”
He also addressed reports of donation drives linked to the incident, stating that he had never personally asked the public for financial assistance.
“When I was once in prison some people and organisations raised donations for me and when I got out, I told them that we are living in a world full of scammers and people would take advantage of one’s situation to scam people,” he said.
Mchunu added that rumours circulating in the community suggested foreign nationals may have been behind the attack.
According to IOL, actor and anti-illegal immigration activist Nkosinathi Ndabandaba, popularly known as Phakelumthakathi, alleged that the fire was a targeted attack after a group of men reportedly arrived at Mchunu’s rural homestead looking for him.
“Those people came searching for Ngizwe. He wasn’t home. When they left, the children saw that the house was on fire,” Ndabandaba claimed.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
