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THE SMART NEWS SOURCE | Feb 10 2010 07:33 | LAST UPDATED Feb 10 2010 07:33 |
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A shareholder in a top media services company has alleged in a taped conversation with former Western Cape premier Lynne Brown that Cape Town journalists are being paid cash “in brown envelopes” to write and influence stories for political ends. Former accounts director at Hip-Hop Media, Vukile Pokwana, claimed in the marathon two-hour tape that an executive editor at the Cape Argus newspaper, Joe Aranes, is among those being paid through provincial government contracts to manipulate the news. Listen to excerpts from the taped conversation “I am saying, Premier, Joe Aranes does that, but I was saying to Thabo [Mabaso, a former Cape Argus journalist] now, he is so weak. This thing of handling brown envelopes, he still does it until today. ... Brown envelopes, Premier, they are nice ... you can blow it, you can drink every day, feed off other habits,” Pokwana told Brown. In 2006 the Cape Argus suspended Aranes and another senior Cape Argus journalist, Ashley Smith. They were subjected to an internal disciplinary hearing to investigate their links with a media company that has a contract with the provincial government. Smith resigned and Aranes returned to work. Approached for comment this week, Aranes told the M&G: “I have nothing to say to you; bye.” A copy of the bombshell tape was recently leaked to the Mail & Guardian. It was made eight days before the general election on April 22 this year, when Brown was still premier. Current PetroSA spokesperson Thabo Mabaso, a former senior journalist at the Cape Argus and provincial government spokesperson, was also present at the meeting. Pokwana was traced to the Eastern Cape, where he now lives. He said he had been unaware he was being taped while meeting Brown. “I’m shocked,” he said. “This is the first time I have heard I was taped.”  CONTINUES BELOW Pokwana told the Mail & Guardian he had not “seen money change hands”. He declined to answer questions about the allegations he made on the tape, but confirmed he still has shares in Hip-Hop. “Your line of questioning is a yawning chasm to what transpired during my meeting with the former premier, Lynne Brown,” Pokwana responded in an email. “I met Brown in her official capacity as the then-premier of the Western Cape and if I was recorded without my knowledge, as you imply, during our meeting, then she is more qualified to answer your questions.” Brown confirmed the authenticity of the tape. “I had this conversation and meeting with Pokwana, but further I do not want to comment,” Brown told the M&G this week. On the tape Brown asks Pokwana whether his company is being used as a vehicle for the paying of journalists to manipulate the news. “Let me level with you. This thing is very simple,” answered Pokwana. “Let’s just say that there is a payment of journalists. But how are you going to prove it when I come to you with a brown envelope?” The meetings to hand over the “brown envelopes” took place in public places, including Catu, a city pub popular with journalists, Pokwana told Brown. Pokwana mentioned the names of journalists from other newspapers who, he alleges, are also implicated in receiving payments to manipulate the news. Radio journalists were also being recruited, he claimed. In the tape Pokwana told Brown about political and business figures allegedly linked to the payment of journalists and explained that he wanted to leave Hip-Hop and move to the Eastern Cape. He had been told his life was in danger, he claimed. Cape Argus editor Gasant Abarder said he had heard the tape but was not allowed to take notes or have a copy of it. “We will investigate this if we have proof, but I can’t action anything until I have the tape.” Abarder said any journalist paid to write or influence stories to satisfy party political ends would be immediately dismissed. The M&G is in possession of documents that reveal that Roger Friedman, of multimedia agency Oryx Media Productions, was asked by a lawyer representing the Cape Argus to assist in the disciplinary hearings of Aranes and Smith in 2006. However, Friedman, who founded Oryx with photographer Benny Gool, refused. Lawyer Jacques Louw asked Friedman to outline disclosures that either Smith or Aranes had made to him and to confirm an invoice for R100 000 from Inkwenkwezi Media for consultancy services rendered to the premier’s office. The invoice was sent to Oryx when it won a contract in the premier’s office. A letter from an official in the office suggested the invoice should be referred to as “specialised media service/consultancy”. Smith’s wife, Joy van der Heyde, was one of two directors of Inkwenkwezi. The other was Zain Orrie, who now owns Hip-Hop. Inkwenkwezi has since shut down. Orrie said he would need a copy of the tape to comment on the allegations made by his former partner, who is understood to have left the company two months ago. In a fax to the M&G Orrie declined to answer written questions. Hip-Hop had contracts with the Western Cape government during and after the tenure of premier Ebrahim Rasool, who was fired by the ANC in July last year. When Brown took over as premier, she confirmed in a provincial legislature reply to the Democratic Alliance’s Robin Carlisle that five provincial departments had spent R44-million over 30 months on Hip-Hop. In the M&G last week, the ANC’s chief whip in the legislature, Max Ozinsky, explained that he and former ANC provincial secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha had helped lead a campaign to make Rasool premier. The ANC has “temporarily” suspended Ozinsky and Rasool for attacking each other in public. “Rasool became intimately involved in briefing journalists and at least one senior journalist from the Cape Argus, but I believe more, benefited financially from their proximity to a web of companies contracted by the province,” claimed Ozinsky. “I don’t make this allegation lightly; there is proof. ” On the same page in the M&G Rasool is quoted as reacting to claims by Western Cape Premier Helen Zille that Ozinsky and Skwatsha had leaked information to the DA about a social transformation project he had initiated: “The admission by Zille ... gives an insight into the effect of the Faustian pact between some in the ANC and the DA.” Rasool could not be reached for comment. Abarder responded -- on Tuesday’s front page of the Cape Argus -- to Ozinsky’s article in the M&G: “We have in the past consistently invited Mr Ozinsky and his ANC colleagues to provide us with proof to this end ... The Cape Argus also investigated the matter and this resulted in the resignation of one senior journalist. But we have found nothing to substantiate Mr Ozinsky’s claim that Cape Argus journalists benefited financially.” Attempts to contact Ashley Smith, who was dismissed from the SABC in Cape Town and left its employ at the end of June, were unsuccessful. TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
Comments
Proudly_South African Proudly_South African on November 13, 2009, 8:45 am
Mdladlana: 'God is going to sort out journalists who do not give enough coverage to the African National Congress!'
The truth always comes out in the end.
Sinudeity @gmail.com on November 13, 2009, 8:50 am
That is fantastic, in the proper sense of what fantastic means. Well done M&G. Just how a PR company can charge R44-million in 30 months is simply staggering. PR and marketing a handy cash cow to bleed the coffers dry for tawdy and ephemeral 'services' which just can't quite be measured. If guvvahment had any sense at all they would eliminate the lot and let their own communications people handle communications like they are supposed to. Oh, but wait, these people have no idea how to do that, now do they.
Donovan Jackson on November 13, 2009, 9:01 am
Proudly_South African: I think you failed to read, that it was the ANC WCape government, that were paying bribes.
'When Brown took over as premier, she confirmed that five provincial departments had spent R44-million over 30 months on Hip-Hop.'
Sinudeity @gmail.com on November 13, 2009, 9:16 am
Can you please not sweep under the table those journalist in the MG that are aslo getting this brown envolopes to rubbish our governament name.I hve siad this before and boy wasn't I right
Etienne mokwana on November 13, 2009, 9:20 am
mokwana: What proof do you have that M&G takes bribes?
You know what I think the ANC should do? Not give the newspapers opportunities to rubbish them. By stamping out corruption and such. They are making it TOO EASY for journalists to rubbish them.
Sinudeity @gmail.com on November 13, 2009, 9:23 am
Absolute Naked Corruption!
Ahed Johb on November 13, 2009, 9:27 am
Sinudeity: you are so right the ANC should root out corruption,which is what they are doing now.they way the MG has been going on about the ANC will tell you that someone somewhere is getting paid hugh somes of money to do just that and you wonder if the the good that the ANC doing is not good enough for this journalist to right about.
perhaps as the saying goes:When boss is right no one remembers but when the boss is wrong then no one forgets. By now the whole world knows how much the ANC officials are getting paid but no one know how much DA official are getting paid.how is that for a fair reporting.
Etienne mokwana on November 13, 2009, 9:56 am
All I can say is:
Bring on the Media Tribunal ASAP !!!
The Moxster on November 13, 2009, 10:02 am
Etienne Mokwana if you any proof of that allegation I'd like to see it.
Note too that this story was about journalists being improperly influenced BY the western cape government of the time, not against it. Of course the whole point of insisting on transparency about journalists' conduct is to ensure that we get to place where casual slurs like yours are no longer credible. Any evidence of impropriety involving M&G journalists can be emailed to me on editor@mg.co.za, or to our ombud on ombud@mg.co.za.
Nic Dawes on November 13, 2009, 10:04 am
@Poorly_South African
You must either learn how to read or how to keep your mouth shut. This is the ANC paying the media and they still look bad in the province. They are stupid and unethical and the people who support them are twice as stupid.
Tiyane Mushwana on November 13, 2009, 10:05 am
Etienne, you are a fool.
Dom Smiley on November 13, 2009, 10:21 am
mokwana: I'd also like to know how much the DA dudes are getting paid.
As for fair reporting, the ANC is the ruling party, and will receive more scrutiny than the other parties. You are right though, in saying the wrong things are remembered, but the good things not. Personally, been reading about corruption almost every single day, with good news few and far between.
Sinudeity @gmail.com on November 13, 2009, 10:24 am
Well, look on the bright side: crime normally pays in South Africa. In this case, the ANC broke the law by attempting to manipulate the news, but it didn't work out - they lost the province to the DA anyway. Unfortunately the money they spent was not theirs, and came from the taxpayer, and should have been spent on building decent houses and safeguarding communities.
Jy Wilmos on November 13, 2009, 10:34 am
Etienne,I am not sure I understand you.
I understand the first part of your statement.."..The whole world knows how much the ANC officials are getting paid..". True,I very much agree with you.. the criminal,blatant and shocking corruption and self-enrichement ,amongst the ANC politicians and government..is well known..not only in SA, but very sadly, world wide too!... But I am not sure I understand the second part of your comment.."..no one knows how much DA officials are getting paid !!" Could you explain !?
Craig LUNN on November 13, 2009, 10:37 am
Craig LUNN:I just gave an example about DA as an political party and ruling the WC province that if the media(MG),is so much about fair reporting why is that we don't know about how much its officials are raking home much as we know about the ANC.
Etienne mokwana on November 13, 2009, 10:52 am
A climate of distrust has so developed that it's not unreasonable to believe that a tribunal would be corruptible.
Thus corruption would continue whilst the public would be lulled into a false sense of security; incidentally, probably at their expense of taxpayers. "Proudly" would do us all a favour if he would read your articles more carefully before commenting.
Dick Corner on November 13, 2009, 10:55 am
@Proudly South African South African.
Possibly,you are not that bright..but dont give up. As your teacher might have told you at school, when you were a little boy...take your time...read things slowly..give yourself time..and if you think you still 'dont understand'...then dont panic or give up..., but go back and read what is written in front of you..again! Eventually, like all things in life, (this article included...and even, things like, the ANC corruption and how the ANC are totally screwing you and I and everyone in this country), no matter how difficult it may be at first, for you to understand.. it will become clearer to you...and then like a "bright bulb turning on in your head" - you will see the light ! I promise you that.
Craig LUNN on November 13, 2009, 11:00 am
It's the African way. Ir greases the wheels of African life. What are you complaining about? Get with the swing, pay your taxes, above and below the table and get your cut. Happy! Happy!
Rod Studley on November 13, 2009, 11:02 am
I support the governament that is willing to serve the ppl of the South,the only thing I have problem with is when ppl are appointed not on merit but on other things as well.this is not only happening on the governament only but private sector as well but doesn't get exposed simply because some ppl in the private sector do own this media.
As for our Gov,I still don't understand how Sphiwe Nyanda was appointed the minister in the communications department,the guy failed decimally so in the SANDF,how Ngconde Balfour was appointed in the correctional service,he failed at the sports. At the very same time on the private sector,we are sitting with the very same thing.The company I work for has just appointed some stupi guy to be the technical manager and this guy knows jag sh**t about technical stuff. How are this ppl going to further enhance th course of the business if they are failures themselves.I can't say is a question of colour because blacks are doing it on the on GOV and whites on the private sector,so what is it? where are we going as a country because the two needs each other to help build the economy of this beutiful country of us? somebody please tell me?
Etienne mokwana on November 13, 2009, 12:35 pm
Mokwana: I fully back you, on your questions and statements posted. In government, and in private sector.
If the media has corruption to report within the DA/ANC/De Beers, they must do so. We WANT the truth. its ammunition that we use, in making our country awesome. To a free and unbiased media.
Sinudeity @gmail.com on November 13, 2009, 12:54 pm
Thanks Etienne..I see your point. But perhaps to answer your question...Maybe , there is just that much less to report in the DA regarding Corruption ? Who knows !?
In the meantime..I cant help think, that the DA ..are so "acutely aware"..that any "Form of Corruption"within their ranks..would be "immediately" trounced upon and exploited by the ANC. Think, disgraced Erasmus commission ! Any exposure,by another party..is a very good thing... Its like one would say in a poker game.."Been made to show your cards..and Keeping the players honest!" So..I believe ,for that reason,amongst all the reasons - that it is simply right and honest and the correct thing to do - the DA..is clamping down on corruption and downright criminality and thieving..as hard as they possibly can - due to the huge resources that the ANC has at its disposal - to expose any possible corruption or kink, within the DA party ! The pity and great sadness..is they ,The ANC, dont have the same set of principles and morals and ethic to expose the corruption..right from the top - to the bottom.. that is so obvious to all of us, within their own party. Otherwise..I totally agree with you and back you too...a Free and Unbiased Media..is what we all want ! So..agree with you again..let this, all be exposed ..and it is a start ,albeit a small start..to developing a SA ,that both you and I , want!
Craig LUNN on November 13, 2009, 1:47 pm
Innuendo, all of it.
Why can't Brown come out clearly with what she is alleging. Which provincial government is/was alleged to have given the brown enveloped. One has to assume it was not Brown's as she has come forward. So, was it Rasool's or is it Zille's?
Alan Watkins on November 13, 2009, 3:19 pm
There is only one way to read this,taken in its entirety and considering the time line: it was the ANC Provincial Government who were the villians ( if the story is true) which would explain why the Argus and Cape Times are so politically correct. I had always thought it was through that brown noser Tony Reily of the Independent Group but this makes more sense.
Sydney Kaye on November 14, 2009, 6:43 am
To be fair to those readers who are confused, the first paragraph reads: "A shareholder in a top media services company has alleged in a taped conversation with former Western Cape premier Lynne Brown that Cape Town journalists are being paid cash “in brown envelopes” to write and influence stories for political ends."
It's that present tense that throws one off. Only in paragraph 6 do we learn: "A copy of the bombshell tape was recently leaked to the Mail & Guardian. It was made eight days before the general election on April 22 this year, when Brown was still premier." Whose political ends were allegedly being served should be made clear from the start.
Hilary Venables on November 14, 2009, 8:07 am
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We really need the Media Tribunal urgently..........