21 August 2006
The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has been inundated with calls
from members of the public concerned about defamatory remarks about Minister
Alec Erwin, made by Mr Jeremy Mansfield, on Highveld stereo earlier today. Mr
Mansfield�s comments hinge on the back of the Minister�s presentation to
parliament yesterday regarding the findings of an investigation into a bolt
found at Koeberg.
Mr Mansfield described Minister Alec Erwin as a �liar� and compared him to
the erstwhile President of the United States, Mr Bill Clinton, who denied that
he had sex "with that woman".
This entire "sabotage-saga" has been blown out of proportion. While we do
not dispute that the Minister used the word "sabotage", certain sections of the
media assumed that the Minister said the bolt found in the generator at Unit
one was sabotage. Nothing could be further from the truth.
What the Minister said was, "If someone deliberately interferes with the
installation of electricity it is serious, it is sabotage." Very simply, some
journalists took this statement and the fact that the Minister said the bolt
"did not get there by accident" and juxtaposed the two statements.
It is a sad day for South Africa when a man of Minister Erwin's stature can
be ridiculed in this manner. While we completely support the tenets of freedom
of speech we also believe there is a fine line between general comment /opinion
and defamation. We respect that Mr Mansfield needs to keep growing his
listenership figures and how best to do it than to defame a hardworking,
selfless, gentleman who is making an invaluable contribution to the growth and
development of this country.
Enquires:
Ms Gaynor Kast
Ministerial Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 431 1000
Fax: (012) 431 1039
Cell: 083 271 4350
Issued by: Department of Public Enterprises
21 August 2006
Source: Department of Public Enterprises (http://www.dpe.gov.za)
