The Citizen journalist questioning how often does the minister visit family, has gone too far
On the 20th June 2012 the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa issued a statement expressing his concern over an on-going media campaign aimed at discrediting him by one journalist, Paul Kirk from The Citizen newspaper.
Today the 20th July 2012, exactly a month since the unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations, we have established that Kirk is embarking on another similar crusade but this time even more personal.He has now questioned how often the Minister visits his family and relatives, whether is there a registered house in the Minister’s name with his ex-wife and if so, what are the architectural designs of the property, its security systems such as fitted burglar alarm?Who actually resides in these properties?
The Minister is baffled by such low standard of journalism but at the same time not entirely surprised because it is Kirk after all.“I have been monitoring this journalist’s reporting on me and frankly, I am not surprised.It cannot get any personal than this.I mean what business does he have to do on how often I visit my family?Does he also check how often we go to church or eat dinner?This is a typical example of gutter and subjective journalism of the highest order; however, I am not going to allow anybody to drag my name or that of my family in the mud, in order to increase their circulation sales.”
“As a Minister I may be a public figure but I deserve a right to privacy particularly if it relates to my family, who do not deserve to be subjected to this kind of treatment.This time he has gone too far,” stated the Minister.
Kirk claims to have conducted “research while trying to get the exact address of Minister Mthethwa's home” on the property and further states, quote: “I notice that two walls have been built around this residence, a pre-cast concrete wall has been supplemented with a higher wooden wall which is topped with spikes and the home is protected by an armed response company and a burglar alarm.”
The property in question is a private house in Pinetown, bought from a private person and is still currently financed by a bank.It is in the same condition as it was when it was bought as no improvements have been made whatsoever.
He further questions that the Deeds Office also records the Minister as owning a residence at Klaarwater, and it appears that this property was given to him as a "grant" in 1995.These are old township houses which were provided to many people back in 1995 without any title deeds.But as we speak, there is no structure there as the house was demolished years back; there is currently just an open space.
“By the way any detail or record in terms of property ownership is public knowledge; any person can obtain these at the Deeds Office.Therefore there is no magical revelation here from Mount Sinai as Kirk is trying to suggest that he conducted “research” because the information is for public consumption.However in this case, it is clear that Kirk is determined come what may on utilising public information to insinuate a personal vendetta.Part of this project is to distract us from the key task facing us of fighting crime but we are not going to be distracted,” concluded the Minister.
As the ministry we reiterate that we have in the past taken liberty to educate and re-educate this journalist on what constitutes news and what does not, yet the obsession and personal vendettas seem to continue.
For enquiries, please contact:
Zweli Mnisi
Cell: 082 045 4024
Personal vendetta against Minister Mthethwa continues
