Publications
The Government's Communication and Information System (GCIS) is facing accusations of creating a false image of the realities in South Africa.
A verbal battle broke out among parliamentarians in the National Assembly last week when Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, minister in the presidency, communicated GCIS's budget of R750 million for the 2023/24 financial year.
"In 2023 and 2024, GCIS is tasked with communicating South Africa's story of transformation and progress to the nation and the world," said Ntshavheni.
According to Ntshavheni, GCIS will particularly focus on "the benefits of the democratic government while creating a bridge between government and citizens to address the challenges we face" next year when we celebrate 30 years of democracy.
"GCIS will coordinate various platforms as the country reflects on its journey," Ntshavheni added, stating that several public dialogues are reportedly being planned for this purpose.
READ: SABC wanted to move to GCIS offices in Pretoria’
DA MP Natasha Mazzone was the first to point out to Ntshavheni that she believed the GCIS was becoming a "propaganda machine".
According to Mazzone, there are various problems in South Africa, such as corruption, poverty, a "diplomatic disaster where our country is once again regarded as outcasts of the international community," weakened healthcare services, and load shedding.
Mazzone said:
Mazzone further warned the GCIS to not become an ANC mouthpiece just because the ANC no longer had the funds to appoint their own spokespersons.
"This propaganda machine is designed for one thing and one thing only: to manipulate the truth and keep South Africans in the dark about what is really happening in the government," she charged.
Vuyani Pambo of the EFF accused GCIS of being "caught sleeping" during crucial moments in recent years, and it was "so bad that we no longer know the government's position on a number of issues".
Rapport reported in April about dissatisfied GCIS staff who put up a poster in an elevator at the GCIS offices in Pretoria, claiming that they are being forced to choose a political side.
The poster alleged that their WhatsApp group was being politicised and that Ntshavheni was abusing it.
READ: GCIS workers unhappy with ‘political meddling’
"To hell with this ANC propaganda; they are not bought by the ANC. GCIS employees are not ANC employees. If you want to communicate ANC messages, move this department to Luthuli House (the ANC's headquarters)," the poster read.
GCIS objected to the report.
"The use of social media, including the establishment of WhatsApp groups, complies with GCIS's mandate to serve citizens and interest groups by providing information about services and opportunities," explained Michael Currin, acting director-general at GCIS. He added:
