The African National Congress (ANC) has taken issue with a South African Press Association (Sapa) story issued on Tuesday, saying it incorrectly attributed certain comments to President Thabo Mbeki, instead of to the Presidency.
ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe was quoted as saying: ”I would say it was a dangerous mistake [by Mbeki], I don’t think he tried to embarrass us.”
The report continued: ”Mantashe was asked earlier if Mbeki’s release of the names of Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers who had resigned prior to his stepping down on Thursday was deliberate and intended to cause damage to the ANC and the economy.”
ANC spokesperson Steyn Speed said on Wednesday: ”At no point in his comments on the release of the statement by the Presidency did Mr Mantashe refer to President Mbeki.
”The question posed to Mr Mantashe referred to the statement released by the Presidency [which is comprised of the offices of the president, deputy president, two ministers and a number of other organisational components]. As such, if a mistake had been made, it had been made by the Presidency, not President Mbeki.”
Sapa editor Mark van der Velden said Sapa stood by its understanding of the story. — Sapa.