Mathae’s Office Fingered in the Mail & Guardian secret deal

Staff Reporter

Bloemfontein – The Office of the Free State Premier is facing scrutiny over a potential bribe to Mail and Guardian involving journolist who covered the recent State of the Province Address (SOPA).

This follows revelations that the Premier’s office covered flights and accommodation for Mail & Guardian journalist Lunga Mzangwe in relation to the event.

Questions have also emerged after it was established that Mzangwe did not initially have official accreditation for SOPA but was later assisted.

While it is not uncommon for hosts of major events to cover travel and accommodation for journalists, standard journalistic practice requires full disclosure of such arrangements in any resulting coverage.

In this instance, no such disclosure appeared in the Mail & Guardian article.

The situation raises concerns and questions around transparency and editorial independence, particularly given recent rulings by the Press Council of South Africa against publications such as the Sunday Times, The Citizen, and BizNews for failing to declare sponsored their trip to Israel.

WATCH

The omission by Mail and Guardian have misled readers and undermined trust, especially considering the experience of the publication’s editorial team.

Attempts to obtain comment from Mail & Guardian editor Mathanda Ncube were unsuccessful at the time of publication and Free State Premier spokesperson Mpho Sikisi said issues raised fall outside OTP’s mandate.

“The issues raised fall outside the mandate and operational scope of the Office of the Premier(OTP), as they relate to the internal editorial processes of an independent media publication.

OTP does not have oversight over the editorial decisions or deployment of journalists by media houses. As such, the matter would be best directed to the publication concerned for further engagement.

We appreciate the opportunity to clarity.”

Pressed to clarify:

“Did OTP book flights, accommodation and rent car for Lunga Mzangwe of Mail and Guardian via a third party?”

Sikisi didn’t respond.

Below are questions sent to Mail and Guardian’s Mathanda Ncube:

1. Can you confirm if Mail and Guardian paid all costs incurred by Lunga Mzangwe?
2. ⁠How much in total from flights and accommodation?
3. ⁠If not by M&G, who paid and why?
4. ⁠Why was this not mentioned in the article?
5. ⁠Should this not have been mentioned?
6. ⁠What was the arrangement between both parties?
7. ⁠Do you mind sharing correspondence between the parties in relation to the arrangements?

In other news, an infant corpse was found at Northern landfills site in Mangaung Metro by recyclers, acting Superintedent, Tshitso Mohatlane elaborates.

WATCH

This is a developing story.

Support Independent Journalism

Stories like this matter. Accountability matters. Truth matters.

If you believe in fearless, independent reporting that holds power to account, help us keep going.

Your contribution, even as little as R10 makes a difference.
Choane Group (Pty) Ltd
FNB: 63110371703

If you have news or tips please email news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp: 068 507 6731

Independent. Unbought. Unfiltered.