The Limpopo Provincial Government welcome the ruling made by the Press Council on Office of the Premier vs City Press. The newspaper alleged that the Premier of the Province, Mr Chupu Stanley Mathabatha has been sitting with a report that could have led to criminal charges against senior government officials. The article also added that Premier “Mathabatha spent the past two years sitting on recommendations by provincial Treasury to act against officials fingered in a multi-million rand corruption tender awarded by Department of Health under his close ally, MEC Phophi Ramathuba”.
Limpopo Government took the matter to the Press Ombudsman. A ruling was made on 25 September 2018 ordering City Press to write an apology and retraction. The media must report objectively and in a balanced manner. Public servants are parents and members of the community, mistakes may happen during execution of their responsibilities. As a government of the people, we expect the media to report unbiased, accurate and factual about the work carried by public servants including its political leadership.
We knew that the article was malevolent and tented the image of Premier Mathabatha as well as his administration. Claiming that Mathabatha administration is corrupt without facts was out of order. Our stand on corruption is well-known and documented. As the Provincial Government, we feel vindicated because the story was reckless and unfounded.
Enquiries:
Mr Phuti Seloba
Cell: 082 807 0796
