/ 20 June 2011

Sowetan to apologise to Buthelezi

Sowetan To Apologise To Buthelezi

The press ombudsman on Monday ordered the Sowetan to publish a front page apology for running a story that sought to damage the credibility of Inkatha Freedom Party president Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

Deputy press ombudsman Johan Retief described the article as “sensationalist” and found that the Sowetan had received comment from Buthelezi but failed to publish it.

Retief ruled that the newspaper breached Article 1.5 of the press code by refusing to publish the comment and caused Buthelezi unnecessary harm.

The story stated that his 62-year-old epileptic son Themba Sibani Buthelezi was destitute and had received food parcels from the National Freedom Party.

It quoted the son as thanking NFP members, especially party leader, Zanele Magwaza-Msibi, for their generosity.

An IFP official told the newspaper: “This is not a party matter, so the party cannot comment”.

The Sowetan published this but not Buthelezi’s own remarks and argued before the press ombudsman that the IFP’s comment was materially the same as that given by Buthelezi himself.

Buthelezi had said: “I am not prepared to comment on this matter, as it will give credence to this type of gutter journalism. God knows the truth about this matter; my conscience is clear.

“It is clear that KaMagwaza-Msibi and her supporters are now engaged in a campaign of dirty politics, aimed at defaming me by any means possible. I am not prepared to degrade myself by stooping to their level.”

Retief found that the Sowetan was obliged to publish Buthelezi’s comment, “as it materially added to the published comment by denying allegations made in the article and pointing out the NFP’s defamation campaign”. — Sapa

On Monday, Sapa reported that the press ombudsman had ordered the Sowetan to publish a front page apology for running a story that sought to damage the credibility of Inkatha Freedom Party president Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

The report also quoted deputy press ombudsman Johan Retief and gave the reader the impression that the information in the news item came from the office of the ombudsman.

In fact, the information was contained in a statement issued by the Inkatha Freedom Party and not from the press ombudsman.