Cabinet rejects Telkom rumours
Cabinet has gone out of its way to reject what its spokesperson, Themba Maseko, called on Thursday "false reports" which suggested that the president blocked the appointment of Reuben September as the chief executive of Telkom.
Maseko declared: "These reports are nothing but an embarrassing fabrication that only serves to mislead the public and present the president in a bad light."
The sensitivity of the executive to possible media criticism in the run up to the crucial ANC meeting next month is emphasised by the ministerial cry of pain. Their statement said: "We once again call upon members of the media to refrain from publishing unsubstantiated stories, as this will discredit the media houses that allow themselves to be used by anonymous and so-called unnamed sources."
September was appointed acting chief executive after Papi Molotsane's resignation on April 5 this year.
Telkom, which did not give reasons for Molotsane's departure at the time, announced his resignation shortly after President Mbeki accused Telkom of profiteering and deterring investment in the country with its phenomenally high phone-call and internet access prices earlier in the month.
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