‘No need’ for ANC to consult paper on allegations

THE national office of the ANC said it had not seen the need to consult with Weekend Post’s sister newspaper the Daily Dispatch when it received a document in which the newspaper allegedly plotted to collapse the Eastern Cape government.

The “damning document”, allegedly leaked from the Dis- patch, came to the fore on Thursday after the ANC released a statement accusing the newspaper of the plot.

ANC national spokesman Zizi Kodwa said yesterday they were not bound by any rules to consult before they published anything.

“There is nothing that stops us from publishing any information that comes before us.

“There is nothing that says we must consult.”

He said their only prerogative was to get to the bottom of the document in terms of what it contained.

Kodwa alleged the document was leaked from the Daily Dispatch to the ANC provincial office. ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane yesterday referred all queries to the national office. “We will issue a statement when we have met with communications.”

Provincial office chief of staff Lungelo Madlingozi said Premier Phumulo Masualle was shocked at the developments. “We are very shocked, espe--

cially considering that we were there [the Dispatch offices] on Tuesday to try and mend working relations between the newspaper and our office.

“Even the premier is very confused and shocked with this.”

Yesterday, the Dispatch reported the ANC had accused the paper of running a “well-or- chestrated” campaign to collapse the provincial government and tarnish Masualle’s image.

In a statement the party released on Thursday, Kodwa claimed the Dispatch had plans to spy on the premier and discredit the provincial government.

The claims have been refuted by Dispatch editor-in-chief Bongani Siqoko.

“No such document exists at the Daily Dispatch. The newspaper also did not hold a ‘bosberaad’ as claimed by the ANC. The Dis- patch has nothing to do with the document the ANC claims to have in its possession.”

Siqoko said the newspaper was disappointed that the ANC had chosen to publish the allegations without confronting it.

Yesterday, Kodwa said the ANC had requested a meeting with the South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) and the Dispatch regarding the allegations.

Sanef executive director Mathatha Tsedu said: “Sanef has noted the statement from the ANC accusing the Daily Dispatch.

“Sanef has also taken note of the statement by the Daily Dispatch, denying any knowledge of such a document or plans.” – siphem@dispatch.co.za Have your say Text your opinion to 32972. R1 per SMS. Errors billed.