2010/10/25
AN ARREST threat has been levelled against two Eastern Cape journalists – one a senior Dispatch reporter – over an anonymous letter threatening the safety of a national government minister.
The letter – about 60 words in length, typed in capital letters and laced with profanities – is the reason a pair of Pretoria detectives questioned Dispatch reporter David Macgregor and Port Alfred Talk of the Town (ToT) editor Jon Houzet over the weekend.
Rural Development and Land Reform national spokesperson Mthobeli Mxotwa yesterday confirmed the existence of the letter, part of which threatened that M inister Gugile Nkwinti would get “moered” if he returned to Kenton-on-Sea.
“The letter is now in the hands of the police. We will not comment further on the matter but will allow the law to take its course,” he said.
The letter appears to have been prompted by a heated meeting in early October around alleged corruption in land reform in the area.
The Dispatch reported how Houzet was manhandled by an ANC supporter at the meeting.
On Friday evening, Macgregor and Houzet met with Warrant Officer MD Dlamini and Sergeant AD van Tonder at the ToT offices in Port Alfred.
Neither would give their first names.
Macgregor and Houzet described how Dlamini dominated the meeting while Van Tonder took notes of the proceedings. Both policemen showed identity cards to the journalists, but refused to allow Macgregor to take a photocopy of the cards.
“Initially it seemed they wanted a statement from us about what had happened at the meeting,” Macgregor said. “Then they produced the letter.
“Things took a sinister turn when they started talking about how what happened in Mpumulanga could happen here. I believe it was a veiled threat.”
In Mpumalanga, reports have suggested there was a “hit list” on journalists who uncovered corruption or who reported unfavourably on the dealings of politicians.
In August this year, Sunday Times journalist Mzilikazi wa Afrika was arrested – and later released – under suspicious circumstances.
The latest development also occurs while the country is debating the need for a media tribunal and proposed changes to the laws around access to information.
Macgregor and Houzet insisted the the meeting move to the local police station. Upon arrival, Dlamini again pressed them to make statements, but did not elaborate on why these should be made, and what the police were investigating. Things became heated, with Dlamini becoming increasingly aggressive towards Macgregor and Houzet.
Philip Shaw, Avusa’s attorney in Port Elizabeth, was called. Avusa is the parent company of both the Daily Dispatch and ToT.
Shaw yesterday confirmed he had advised Macgregor and Houzet not to make any statement until Dlamini and Van Tonder put in writing why any such statement was needed, and the grounds for any investigation.
This was not done, and Shaw’s final telephonic conversation with Dlamini on Saturday ended with Dlamini telling Shaw that the journalists would face arrest if they did not co- operate. “I told him he would act at his peril if he had them arrested, and then I called (Macgregor and Houzet) and warned them about this.”
By yesterday, no arrests had been made. When the Dispatch called Dlamini he refused to comment further on the matter.
Dispatch acting editor Charles Mogale said yesterday: “This is quite scary. We would have thought after the world expressed shock at the arrest of Mzilikazi wa Afrika , the police would be sensible moving forward. Apparently they have not learned anything – or they do not give a toss.
“Hauling journalists to a police station and threatening them with arrest if they do not make a statement indicates that we are ... surely moving back to the bad old days.
“We can only hope this is not part of a grand, sinister plan to coerce the press into steering away from exposing the real criminals – many of whom are in the high echelons of power.”
Mondli Makhanya, chairperson of the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef), said the incident appeared to be a violation of an agreement Sanef has with government, where prior consultation between government and Sanef is necessary to issue a subpoena for journalists to give evidence. — By TARALYN McLEAN
