Putin beordrar styrkor att gå in i Ukraina - INVASION NU (2022-02-24)

'This is misinformation, and untrue' says Presidency amid reports of Kyiv explosions

WARSAW — Vincent Magwenya, President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson, has disputed reports of explosions in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.

Reuters reported that air raid sirens howled in the city earlier today and that explosions could be heard while Ramaphosa was in the city.

There are no South African journalists with the president in Kyiv, only government officials. Reuters however continues to report from the city.

Magwenya disputed the Reuters report and shared a video he took of the city.

"This was the time when the so called explosion happened. I took the video from the hotel here in Kyiv. It's very strange that we didn't hear or see an explosion. There's obviously some deliberate misinformation being spread here. People are going on about their day. As we expected this mission was never going to be easy but some of the hurdles are deeply disturbing, like the treatment you all received and others outright amusing, like this so called explosion."

When asked if he disputes the Reuters account, he said: "From my own experience and those I am travelling with, yes, I am disputing it. Watch the video I shared. We were all perplexed when we were taken back to the hotel and passed streets where people were going on about their day as normal. It's very strange and is, in a way, deliberate misinformation."

— Pieter du Toit, in Poland

'This is misinformation, and untrue' says Presidency amid reports of Kyiv explosions

WARSAW — Vincent Magwenya, President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson, has disputed reports of explosions in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.

Reuters reported that air raid sirens howled in the city earlier today and that explosions could be heard while Ramaphosa was in the city.

There are no South African journalists with the president in Kyiv, only government officials. Reuters however continues to report from the city.

Magwenya disputed the Reuters report and shared a video he took of the city.

"This was the time when the so called explosion happened. I took the video from the hotel here in Kyiv. It's very strange that we didn't hear or see an explosion. There's obviously some deliberate misinformation being spread here. People are going on about their day. As we expected this mission was never going to be easy but some of the hurdles are deeply disturbing, like the treatment you all received and others outright amusing, like this so called explosion."

When asked if he disputes the Reuters account, he said: "From my own experience and those I am travelling with, yes, I am disputing it. Watch the video I shared. We were all perplexed when we were taken back to the hotel and passed streets where people were going on about their day as normal. It's very strange and is, in a way, deliberate misinformation."

— Pieter du Toit, in Poland