No evidence suggests officials are being intimidated ahead of elections, says SABC
This is after claims that the State Security Agency (SSA) had been roped in to counter anti-African National Congress (ANC) coverage in the media as the party tries to clean up its image.
The South African Broadcast Corporation's (SABC) headquarters in Auckland Park, Johannesburg. Picture: Mike Powell/Wikimedia Commons
JOHANNESBURG - The SABC says there is no evidence that officials at the public broadcaster are being intimidated in the build-up to the hotly contested elections.
This is after claims that the State Security Agency (SSA) had been roped in to counter anti-African National Congress (ANC) coverage in the media as the party tries to clean up its image.
Publication City Press previously alleged that SABC’s head of news and current affairs – Moshoeshoe Monare – was the first of the SSA’s targets.
Fractures at the SABC are again playing themselves out in the public domain.
Monare was recently contacted by the SSA to complete his top-level vetting and security clearance two years into the job at the public broadcaster.
It’s believed Monare took exception to this in what’s thought to have been an attempt to rally positive coverage for the ANC as the party sets its sights on a seventh term in office.
The Presidency has since denied claims that SSA agents were instructed by ANC officials in government to intimidate Monare.
The SABC has now also confirmed that Monare did not complete the vetting process - though bound by his contract to do so.
The SABC says Monare has not been subjected to an unfair second round of vetting and security clearance.
The public broadcaster adds there are checks and balances in place to prevent interference in editorial decisions, even more so during elections.