The African National Congress (ANC) on Friday demanded an apology from the Times for its Luthuli House spy report, but the daily’s editor insists the story is accurate.
The Times, without quoting a source, reported that Vuyisa Manyandela, the personal assistant of former ANC communications chief Smuts Ngonyama, had been accused of being a mole for the new breakaway party led by Mosiuoa Lekota.
It then quoted ANC spokesperson Brian Sokutu as saying he could not comment on the matter because disciplinary measures taken against staff were confidential.
”The African National Congress condemns as false, reckless and grossly insensitive a report on the front page of the Times today … The ANC demands that the Times publish a front-page apology, giving equal prominence to the facts as it has given to its false claims,” ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte said.
Times editor Ray Hartley responded: ”We find this denial bizarre. The ANC was kept fully abreast of this story as we researched it over the last week.
”The ANC’s spokesperson confirmed on the record that disciplinary measures had been taken in this matter. The response by Brian Sokutu that this was a disciplinary matter and therefore confidential was carried in our front-page story.
”Sokutu was presented with the full story and never contested any of the facts presented to him.”
Duarte said no disciplinary action has been taken against Manyandela.
Ngonyama also denied the report.
”It is mischievous and so destructive to this young girl. I really do not know what it is she will be spying for. When she worked there, she dedicated her time to the ANC.
”[This is happening] just because she happened to work for me,” said Ngonyama.
ANC spokesperson Carl Niehaus said Manyandela was currently on leave.
”She’s been away for a couple of days on holiday. I would assume it would not be for too long a period … because there is a lot of work to be done,” said Niehaus.
The Times said that Manyandela allegedly passed documents, including minutes of ANC meetings and the party’s strategic plans, to the Congress of the People (COPE), led by former ANC person Lekota, who is launching the new party on December 16. — Sapa