Issued by Office of the Presidency
7 August 2000
In response to media queries on this matter, the Office of the presidency wishes to bring to the attention of the media the attached letter from Director-General Rev Frank Chikane, sent to the City press newspaper this morning.
We also wish to reiterate that the statement issued by Minister Essop Pahad on 28 July 2000 still stands.
We hope that this clarification will lay such speculation to rest.
LETTER SENT TO MR KHULU SIBIYA, EDITOR OF CITY PRESS
7 August 2000
Khulu Sibiya
The Editor
City Press
Fax (011) 713-9986
Dear Khulu Sibiya
Despite unambiguous statements from the Presidency denying any moves to dismiss, re-deploy or transfer Mr Parks Mankahlana from his current position, the City Press chose to continue printing unfounded rumours in this regard (Axe is set to drop on Parks, 6 August).
Accordingly, as head of the Presidency and the person ultimately responsible for staffing matters, I would like to once again place the following on record:
1. Mr Mankahlana is on leave and is expected to return to his post at the end of his leave.
2. The Presidency is not "on the search to replace Mr Mankahlana" as was reported.
3. Nobody has "been approached with offers" (presumably to replace him) as reported.
4. There is no substance to the allegation of infighting in the Presidency which has given rise to or cause for the dismissal or transfer of Mr Mankahlana as there is no such intention of dismissal or transfer.
5. No "new post has been created in Deputy President Jacob Zuma's office for Mankahlana" as was reported.
6. Any advertisements for communications personnel in the Presidency, including the Deputy President's office, are for existing vacant positions.
I am surprised that even though the writer of the article obtained a categorical denial from Mr Joel Netshitenzhe with regard to all of the above speculations and an assurance that an earlier press statement from Minister Pahad in this regard still stands, City press still chose to publish these groundless and significantly, unsourced allegations.
For the sake of the credibility and integrity of your newspaper, which I find so useful and informative, I hope that you will correct these obvious inaccuracies with the prominence necessary to achieve this objective.
Frank Chikane
Director-General of the Presidency and Secretary to Cabinet
The Presidency
Issued by:
Nazeem Mahatey
Acting Head
Communications Unit
The Presidency