Dina Pule versus Sunday Times

A series of articles by the Sunday Times formed part of a smear and blackmail campaign, Communications Minister Dina Pule claimed on Monday.

“The campaign was a highly sophisticated plot to blackmail me,” she told reporters in Johannesburg.

“The Sunday Times thought it could coerce me into a corner.”

Pule went into the details of several stories, saying they sought to project her as a corrupt minister, without providing evidence.

She said the blackmail related to tender processes and “their” intentions were for “decisions (to be made) in their favour”.

Pule said the matter had been taken up with the Press Ombudsman.

She said one journalist’s relative was so desperate to get a meeting with her he even proposed a love affair.

Comment from Sunday Times editor Phylicia Oppelt could not be immediately obtained. Her personal assistant said Sapa should send an e-mail as Oppelt was the only one allowed to comment.

By the time of publishing, Oppelt had not responded to the e-mail.

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