Dispatch responds to ANC statement

Today the African National Congress (ANC) issued a statement in which it accused the Daily Dispatch of “a well – orchestrated media plot to tarnish Eastern Cape Premier and collapse Eastern Cape Provincial government.”

The party claimed this was contained in a document arising out of the paper’s “bosberaad” for the 2015/16 year which has been “leaked” to it.

No such document exists at the Daily Dispatch. The newspaper also did not hold a “bosberaad” as claimed by the ANC. Consequently the Daily Dispatch has nothing to do with the document the ANC claims to have in its possession.

We are disappointed that the ANC elected not to confront the Daily Dispatch with these allegations, which we would have directly refuted.

For the past week we have been confronted with false accusations that we are spying on the Premier of the province, Phumulo Masualle. This accusation was formally raised this week when officials from the premier’s office visited our newsroom to discuss our continuing working relationship. Incidentally the meeting was cordial and fruitful.

The ANC statement coincides with consistent information that the safety of some of the Daily Dispatch’s senior staff, including the editor, is in danger. Security experts have since confirmed that these threats are credible and need to be taken seriously.

As a result Times Media Ltd, the owners of the Daily Dispatch have had to take steps to bolster security measures around the staff concerned.

We have never been driven by an agenda or political affiliation. Our daily motivation is a relentless pursuit for truth. And that entails holding those in power accountable. To that end, we remain unbending.

Statement issued by Bongani Siqoko, Daily Dispatch Editor, May 14 2015