Confusion surrounds the reasons for the unexpected termination of the organ of the Boerestaat Movement, which produced its last edition in December. Die Stem's publisher, Robert van Tonder, has claimed the ministry of home affairs telephoned him in late December to announce that a censor was to be appointed for the newspaper – an allegation denied categorically by the minister. In a related development former allies of Van Tonder have launched a new Rightwing newspaper catering for the same audience. Called Die Volkstem, it's first edition is due to be published today.
In an interview with Weekly Mail, Boerestaat Movement leader Van Tonder said: "Die Stem was closed down by the government … (After receiving a letter informing me of action being contemplated by the minister) I had to reply to a number of things and told (Minister of Home Affairs) Stoffel Botha I couldn't because my attorneys were on holiday. "He then sent me a long telegram to say I must reply immediately … when I replied, their proclamation was already with the government printers. "Then I had a telephone call from his office to the effect that they are going to appoint a monitor now, and I must submit everything to them. Under those conditions I could not continue to produce a newspaper."
A statement from the minister's office flatly rejected this explanation: "It has been established that neither the Minister nor his staff have any knowledge of such an irresponsible telephone call. It is categorically denied that the Minister's office made such a call. "In fact Mr Van Tonder had requested an interview with the Minister soon after he was advised of contemplated action but a date and time has not been set at this stage."
Weekly Mail has established that a rarefied political wrangle on the far right may have been the core reason for Die Stem's demise. According to Johannes Pienaar, editor of the new publication, Die Volkstem, there were "some problems" withthe final issue of Die Stem, leading to the appointment of a new editor, a staff reshuffle, and the formation of a new company, Volkstem Koerant CC. Boerestaat Publishers, which owned Die Stem, no longer has any connection with the new publication, and Van Tonder apparently has no editorial or financial influence over Die Volkstem.
Van Tonder's specific commitment to the Boerestaat Movement was unacceptable to Pienaar, who says the newspaper will be "completely neutral … supporting the Conservative Party, the Afrikaner Weerstandsbewegins, and whatever Rightwings organisations exist including the Boerestaat Movement" Van Tonder's direct political links were "not in the interests of Die Volkstem", says Pienaar, who is reputed to "lean towards" Andries Treumicht's Conservative Party.
The possibility cannot be discounted that the change in structure and name is an elaborate ploy to avoid a government clampdown, but this is body denied by both Pienaar and Van Yonder. Despite their ideological differences, the two right-wingers remain united in their excoriation of the government and the ruling National Party. "Die Stem was warned in a letter in Afrikaans by a certain person named (Stoffel) Botha that the paper had contravened certain sections of an Act " says Pienaar. There is no logic in his viewpoint … We cannot understand his Afrikaans. – Shaun Johnson and Marianne Merten
This article originally appeared in the Weekly Mail.
