President Thabo Mbeki’s spokesperson Bheki Khumalo confirmed on Monday that the presidency has received a letter from Zimbabwean Information Minister Jonathan Moyo complaining about South African media reports on Zimbabwe.
Khumalo said Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad was dealing with the letter and would respond in writing to Moyo. He could not comment on the letter, its contents, or a possible response at this stage.
According to media reports, Moyo’s letter complained of the “relentless demonisation” of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and his people in the South African media.
Apparently, Zimbabwe’s government has officially asked the South African government to intervene to put an end to it.
Responding to questions on Monday, Khumalo said the government did not believe it should interfere with the freedom of the press, as South Africa had legislation governing press freedom.
But, government reserved the right to respond if media criticism was unfair or inaccurate.
Sometimes government was criticised in ways it did not like, “but we respect the right of the media to do this,” Khumalo said. ‒ Sapa
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