Statement on Rapport’s “So skep die SAKP by staat” Article
The Department of Higher Education and Training is extremely disturbed with the article, which appeared in the Rapport of 29 November 2015.
It is becoming more evident that individuals with a morbid desire to tarnish the image of the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr BE Nzimande, have provided Pieter-Louis Myburgh with information, which is not factual and with a devilish object of using the media to defame the Minister and accuse officials in the Department of Higher Education and Training, National Skills Fund and Services SETA of corruption or corruptability without any factual foundation.
This practice of attempting to connect the dots in the air and manufacturing theories is unhelpful, as any person intent on causing mischief can paint a picture to fit their puzzle regardless of objectively determinable facts readily ascertainable from public documents. This given the fact that Letsatsi was established in 2002 and has been an education and training service provider within this sector long before Dr Nzimande was appointed Minister for Higher Education and Training in 2009.
To show that the journalist in question has an evil intent, he deliberately tells a lie that Letsatsi was getting SETA funding for the first time after Dr Nzimande was appointed Minister in 2009. This is a blatant lie as this company had been getting SETA funding long before the appointment of the Minister. We told the journalist about this in one of our written answers to him, but he decides to ignore it in order to pursue his perverse agenda.
It is insulting to draw inferences of political meddling in the business of organs of the State simply on the basis of a person’s political affiliation or perceived relationships with specific individuals. These inferences are rejected with the utmost contempt they deserve.
These deliberately hurtful allegations, which are meritless do more harm in that they impugn the integrity of and unduly belittles the hard work of honest individuals who follow due processes only to be criticised for manipulating systems without any basis.
As the article is not a true expression to the requirement of truthful, accurate and fair reporting contained in the South African Press Code, the Department will be lodging a complaint with the Press Council.
Statement issued by Khaye Nkwanyana, Director: Media Liaison Officer, Department of Higher Education and Training, 29 November 2015
