Zuma: SABC denies pressure
2005-12-21 19:52
Johannesburg - The SABC has denied bowing to political pressure in deciding not to proceed with a planned interview with African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma.
Zuma has reportedly raised his concerns about last week's cancellation of the interview in a letter to SABC group chief executive Dali Mpofu on Monday.
This, after he was reportedly told by television news acting head Amrit Manga that, with the rape allegations against him now before court, the SABC had decided to adhere to the sub judice rule.
"It is common cause that the sub judice rule is there to protect the rights of the accused - which in this case is me - and fair process," Zuma reportedly wrote to Mpofu.
"The prerogative would therefore rest with me in terms of how much I wish to discuss about the case."
On Wednesday, Mpofu said he took "full responsibility" for and supported the editorial department's decision not to go ahead with the interview.
Political agenda
"The allegation that this decision was taken as a result of political pressure exerted by an undisclosed source upon a yet unnamed person or persons has no foundation and truth, is simply a conspiracy theory and is accordingly strongly rejected," he said.
The SABC had no political agenda, either for or against Zuma, he added.
Apart from the rape charge, Zuma faces two counts of alleged corruption.
He was interviewed several times by SABC early this year after the Durban High Court found that he and his financial adviser Schabir Shaik "had a generally corrupt relationship".
Axed as deputy president Zuma when the corruption charges were brought against him, Zuma stepped down from his duties in the ANC and was silenced by its National Executive Council following his appearance in the Johannesburg magistrate's court on the rape charge.
The SABC's decision not to proceed with the interview was "purely an editorial decision", said Mpofu.
"For the record, this decision was not solely based on the sub judice rule, but also on other considerations of principle," said Mpofu.
"Any person who has followed the SABC's coverage of the unfortunate events surrounding Mr Zuma will agree that we have never sought to take sides or to influence the choice of our viewers and audiences as to whom to support or not support."
- SAPA