Publication: Cape Times Issued: Date: 2005-12-20 Reporter: Boyd Webb Reporter: Reporter:

ANC Denies Barring Zuma from Interview

 

Publication 

Cape Times
Date 2005-12-20

Reporter

Boyd Webb

Web Link

www.capetimes.co.za

 

The African National Congress has denied any involvement in the SABC's last-minute decision to pull the plug on a planned interview with former deputy president Jacob Zuma.

"No, we would never do that," said ANC secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe. "He is a citizen with all his rights and freedoms, including the freedom of expression *1."

The ANC's extended national working committee two weeks ago effectively stripped Zuma of his powers and said he could not appear on a public platform as its deputy president without the party's permission, pending the outcome of his rape trial.

However, Zuma was in no way obliged to seek permission from the ANC before expressing his views on whatever topic, Motlanthe said.

Zuma yesterday submitted an official letter of complaint to SABC CEO Dali Mpofu.

"The letter has been sent and raises concerns about the decision not to interview him at the last minute," Zuma's spokesperson Ranjeni Munusamy said.

The cancellation not only drew outrage *1 from the Zuma camp, who accused the SABC of censorship, but also from media analysts.

SABC's acting spokesperson Lesego Mncwango said legal advice had been sought and that an editorial decision had been made based on the sub judice rule.

With acknowledgements to Boyd Webb and Cape Times.


*1  May the camp remain consistent over the next few years. It'll be a test.