31 July 2006
The Presidency would like to put on record that the story regarding the
Deputy President's visit to a furniture store in Johannesburg, published in the
City Press and Rapport yesterday, was fictitious and without an iota of
truth.
The facts are as follows: The Deputy President did visit a furniture store
in the month of June and not two weeks ago as reported. She did not purchase
any furniture at the store, nor did any of her staff demand that the store be
vacated or the doors closed as alleged. The member of staff who allegedly
demanded that the doors be closed was not even present on that private
visit.
The Presidency expresses its disappointment with the newspapers for
publishing an uncorroborated and patently untrue story which violates the
essential ethics of journalism, in which the checking of facts is
fundamental.
The editors have accordingly been asked for an apology and for a correction
to be published.
For further information call:
Thabang Chiloane
Spokesperson to the Deputy President
Cell: 082 8888783
Issued by: Office of the Presidency
31 July 2006
Source: SAPA
