lɛkˈoʊɾə sˈʌbsᵻkwəntli stˈeɪɾᵻd ðæt hɪz səspˈɛnʃən wʌz ɪlədʒˈɪɾᵻmət, æz mædˈiːʃə, ɐlˈɔŋ wɪð sˈɛkɹətɹi fɔːɹ kəmjˌuːnɪkˈeɪʃənz dˈɛnɪs blˈoʊᵻm ænd sˈɛkɹətɹi fɔːɹ ᵻlˈɛkʃənz ˈɛmzwˈændaɪl ˈeɪtʃlˈiːkoʊ hæd ðɛmsˈɛlvz bˌɪn səspˈɛndᵻd.
Lekota subsequently stated that his suspension was illegitimate, as Madisha, along with secretary for communications Dennis Bloem and secretary for elections Mzwandile Hleko had themselves been suspended.