Cape Town - It seems as if the public spat between Olympic star Sunette Viljoen and Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula is continuing.
After winning a silver medal in the javelin at the Rio Olympics, Viljoen and her fellow medallists were told they would receive an additional amount of R70 000 for their achievements.
Viljoen, however, remained sceptical and made her feelings known on social media.
Mbalula did not respond to Viljoen’s tweets but told City Press that Viljoen “complains all the time (and has) a lot of negative energy”.
“I prefer to ignore her tweets. Despite everything, she will always bring a negative spin to it. Go check her track record. I even 'twared' with her sometime back. It is not worth it, honestly,” said Mbalula.
Mbalula added that Viljoen insulted everyone, including SASCOC.
He said he had always given Viljoen her just rewards for her excellence.
“In less than a week watch the space. She’ll be demanding the incentives. She’s abusing us a lot,” Mbalula said.
And now it seems that Viljoen has not received the R70 000 promised to the athletes.
She took to Twitter on Monday after a SMS was sent to Mbalula to ask about the money.
No words. @MbalulaFikile @EsethuHasane pic.twitter.com/EFeliHaQgQ
— Sunette Viljoen (@Sunette_Viljoen) September 12, 2016
The SMS, sent by her partner LiMari Louw, to Mbalula, asked when the bonus was to be paid.
Mbalula replied, "I don't kno, maybe next year December."
Viljoen again responded on Twitter.
This is the disrespect you get for winning an Olympic medal. I wonder if @MbalulaFikile knows what it takes to be an Olympic medallist.
— Sunette Viljoen (@Sunette_Viljoen) September 12, 2016