|
Top Zuma job for controversial former editor |
| Publication |
Business Day |
| Date | 2009-07-08 |
| Reporter | Karima Brown |
| Web Link | www.bday.co.za |
Former newspaper editor Vusi Mona has
been appointed acting head of communications in the Presidency,
a move one analyst called “provocative”,
considering his controversial past.
Mona, a former editor of the City Press, was booted out of his job in 2003 after
his appearance before the Hefer inquiry set up by former president
Thabo Mbeki to investigate claims that then National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
head Bulelani Ngcuka was a spy.
Steven Friedman, director of the Centre for the Study of Democracy, said: “Vusi
Mona was the one person found by the Hefer commission of
behaving unethically.
“While he comes with baggage,
his appointment can be seen as a clear endorsement from the Zuma government.”
Friedman said Mona’s appointment suggested the new government did not think he
did “anything wrong” during that time.
Mona, who has enjoyed a colourful career in the media and communications world,
was until recently also head of communications, media and public relations at
Rhema Ministries.
Steyn Speed, an official in the Presidency, told Business Day that Mona was
appointed on contract and would remain in his post until a permanent appointment
had been made.
No stranger to controversy, Mona told the Hefer inquiry that Ngcuka had used a
confidential meeting with black editors for the “vitriolic character
assassination” of several subjects of Scorpions probes, including then deputy
president Jacob Zuma .
The NPA pursued Zuma in a long drawn out
legal battle that was eventually turned on its head after
it was found that former Scorpions head Leonard McCarthy had improperly
discussed the state’s case against Zuma with Ngcuka.
Vincent Magwenya, who is acting presidential spokesman, also joined the
Presidency as a contract employee, Speed said.
He replaces Thabo Masebe, who was seconded to serve as spokesman during the
holding period when Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe was
president.
Masebe told Business Day he would return to his post as head of communication
for the Gauteng government.
brownk@bdfrm.co.za
With acknowledgements to Karima Brown and Business Day.