Mantashe on media bribery allegations: 'None of the sort occurred'
Over the weekend, the Sunday World newspaper reported the Mantashe was involved in a love triangle and that he allegedly paid 2 journalists as much as R70,000 each to suppress the story.
Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, has distanced himself from media reports that he allegedly bribed journalists to not write about a sex scandal involving him.
Over the weekend, the Sunday World newspaper reported the Mantashe was involved in a love triangle and that he allegedly paid 2 journalists as much as R70,000 each to suppress the story.
Mantashe's office responded on Monday, saying the statement attributed to him "seems to have created an impression of him being involved in the act of bribery. Mr. Mantashe is clear that none of the sort occurred."
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The statement says the Minister upholds media freedoms.
"Further, attested to by the newspaper, there was no verification of these allegations prior to the publication of the story."
The South African National Editor's Forum (Sanef) has called the allegatiosn "shocking" and are askign both Mantashe and the SUnday World to revlea the names of the jouranslits invovled.
As a result of these shocking allegations, SANEF will be pursuing the following actions:
— SANEF (@SAEditorsForum) October 27, 2019
- Writing to the Minister to request that he reveals the names of the journalists involved;
- Supporting @SundayWorldZA’s investigations into the matter
-Supporting @SundayWorldZA’s commitment to ensuring that all Sunday World journalists sign pledges to ensure ethical journalism;
— SANEF (@SAEditorsForum) October 27, 2019
SANEF champions ethical journalism. We believe that if anyone has ANY evidence of unethical journalism – including the very serious breach of accepting funds for journalism – they should go to the Press Council.
— SANEF (@SAEditorsForum) October 27, 2019
Furthermore - we remind the public that as SANEF we have launched our own independent Inquiry into Media Credibility and Ethics, chaired by retired Judge Kathleen Satchwell.
— SANEF (@SAEditorsForum) October 27, 2019
We encourage any South African with evidence of journalists acting unethically or illegally to approach Judge Satchwell and the authorities.
— SANEF (@SAEditorsForum) October 27, 2019
Please send submissions to – [email protected].