Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
17 June 1998
"STOLEN VEHICLES: MBEKI BODYGUARD SOUGHT"
Response by the Minister for Safety and Security, Mr Sydney Mufamadi, Pretoria, 17 June 1998.
I took note of the story which appeared on the front page of the Pretoria News of the 16th of June 1998 under the headline: "Stolen vehicles: Mbeki bodyguard sought".
The government regards the problem of car thefts in the country as a crime which deserves priority attention. This problem becomes more serious if a member of the South African Police Service is suspected to have been the culprit.
It is for that reason that when I read the story on the front page of the newspaper, I took steps to establish the identity of the bodyguard of Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, who was allegedly involved in this matter.
I was assured that no such a person, as alleged in the article, exists. I then spoke to the reporter, who wrote the story and in the course of our discussion I established the following:
(a) according to the reporter, the police officer who gave her the story did so on condition that his identity would not be revealed.
(b) she spoke to the official spokesperson of the Crime Prevention and Response Service division, Superintendent Martin Aylward, who after several enquiries, informed her that they were not aware of the story which she sought confirmation for.
I find it disconcerting that the reporter did not deem it necessary to have the facts verified before she clamoured for a front page slot about a crime allegedly committed by a bodyguard of Deputy President Mbeki.
Is it not strange that a bonafide member of our law enforcement agency wants to be faceless when he communicates with the tax-paying public about his work?
I also find it ominous that the reporter did not bother to inform the readership of the Pretoria News that the Crime Prevention and Response Service division was not aware of this "crime".
Recent events must have taught all and sundry that there still exists in our country people who bear grudges against the democratic dispensation.
I make bold to suggest that journalists should not allow their proclivity for sensationalism to make them pawns who are available for use by anti-democratic elements. Let those who are hell-bent on continuing with their old disinformation campaign use their own means to achieve their evil goals.
I think that the integrity of the Pretoria News is too important to be sacrificed on the altar of agendas which are inimical to our democracy.
Enquiries: Andre Martin, Media Liaison Officer, 082 373 2005.