It is said, better to keep quiet and look the fool, than to speak and remove all doubt. This is applicable to Bheki Mtolo.
Yesterday, during a memorandum handover at UThukela District Municipality, ANC KZN Provincial Secretary, Bheki Mtolo, made the reckless and irresponsible statement that SABC journalists were “captured” by the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP).
This unfounded statement must be highlighted for what it is: a rash and careless attack on media freedom. Such baseless aspersions only serve to harm the credibility of the media as a whole.
As the IFP, we are steadfast in our belief that the role of the SABC, as the public broadcaster, is to report the news honestly, without fear or favour.
An attack on any journalist is an assault on media freedom, and by extension, all journalists. The IFP will not stand idly by as freedom of expression – and freedom of the press and other media, as enshrined in Section 16 of our Constitution – comes under attack.
We therefore challenge Mr Mtolo to provide proof of his false claims – or to retract his statement immediately.
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Contact
Mkhuleko Hlengwa, MP
IFP National Spokesperson
071 111 0539
