(FXI/IFEX) – According to a 2 April 1998 report by FXI, the South African National Civic Organization (Sanco) announced on 31 March that it would picket the offices of the “Sunday Independent” newspaper on 8 April because of what Sanco claims to be “malicious reports” about a split in the organization and an alleged R1.3 […]
(FXI/IFEX) – According to a 2 April 1998 report by FXI, the South African
National Civic Organization (Sanco) announced on 31 March that it would
picket the offices of the “Sunday Independent” newspaper on 8 April
because of what Sanco claims to be “malicious reports” about a split in
the organization and an alleged R1.3 million debt (approximately USD
258,000)
incurred by Sanco.
The reports, all written by journalist Williman Mervin Gumede, appeared
in the newspaper over several weeks. In one report, it was stated: “…
the troubled Sanco was R1.3 million in the red and had been given one
month to repay its debts or face liquidation by the auditor-general and
criminal charges from the attorney-general.” Another report alleged that
the Soweto branch of Sanco had split from the national body to form a
separate rival organization to be led by Maynard Menu, who had resigned.
According to the report, Menu said other branches were expected to split
from Sanco.
Sanco national president Mlungisi Hlongwane said the aim of the picket
would be to express the organisation’s “dissatisfaction, disgust, concern
and contempt” at the newspaper’s “malicious, unfair and incorrect
reporting.” He accused the newspaper of waging a vendetta to discredit
Sanco in order to promote a hidden agenda. He said several attempts by
the organisation asking the newspaper to refrain from being biased had
been ignored. Hlogwane said Sanco wrote several letters to Gumede and
“Sunday Independent” editor John Battersby denying that the organisation
was in a financial crisis or that there was a split. Sanco said instead
that Menu, who was reported to be behind the split in the organisation,
was in fact bitter and wanted to form a rival movement.
Battersby confirmed to the “Sowetan” newspaper that he had received a
letter from Sanco concerning Gumede’s report. Gumede also told the
“Sowetan” that as a journalist he had reported the truth. Gumede also
told the FXI that he had come under pressure from Sanco to reveal the
sources of certain documents he had quoted in some of his reports.
