The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was considering taking legal action against two Johannesburg newspapers, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported on Saturday.
The newspapers reported that the Scorpions were investigating alleged kickbacks paid by arms manufacturer Denel.
The NPA said the reports were unethical as neither of the newspapers had contacted them for comment.
The directorate said it was weighing up a number of options, including seeking relief from the press ombudsman.
”We find the two reports very irresponsible. The one published on Friday was based on documents that form part of the court record for a matter that is not ripe for a hearing, let alone for publication in a newspaper. ”Today’s [Saturday’s] story was written apparently on the basis of untested allegations by an unnamed source, who spoke to the relevant newspaper,” the SABC reported NPA spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi as saying.
According to SABC reports, the Mail & Guardian said it sought legal advice before publishing the story.
The SABC could not reach The Saturday Star for comment. Nkosi said the style in which the articles were written created an impression that the Scorpions were behind the publication of the reports. – Sapa