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Gupta-owned media to apologize for reports about alleged plot against Zuma: ANC

Xinhua, March 23, 2016 Adjust font size:

The New Age and ANN7, two media outlets owned by the Indian Gupta family, have agreed to apologize for reports about an alleged plot to topple South African President Jacob Zuma, it was announced on Wednesday.

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Tuesday met with representatives of The New Age and ANN7 following concerns raised by the ANC over such reports published by the two organizations last week, ANC national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said.

The meeting noted that while both The New Age and ANN7 stand by their stories, both media organizations acknowledged certain errors in their reporting, said Kodwa.

Consequently, The New Age and ANN7 have agreed to publish and broadcast an apology tomorrow, Kodwa said in a statement.

"The meeting agreed to take last night's discussion forward in a spirit that will encourage a dynamic and respectful relationship," he said.

The New Age and ANN7 filed the reports before and during a meeting of the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC) in Pretoria last weekend.

According to the reports, senior ANC officials were involved in the plot to topple Zuma.

"The NEC expressed its utmost disgust at the arrogance, disrespect and reckless journalism displayed by the New Age newspaper and ANN7 news channel and representatives of the Gupta family," ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe told reporters on Sunday.

The Gupta family has been put under the spotlight since the former chair of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises, Vytjie Mentor, publicly revealed recently that she was offered the job of Minister of Public Enterprises by the Gupta on conditions that she "drops the SAA (South African Airways) flight-route to India and give to them".

Mentor's utterances have led to several ANC members speaking out on similar encounters with the Guptas, including Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas, Public Service and Administration Minister Ngoako Ramathlodi and former Public Enterprises Minister Barbara Hogan

The ANC decided at its NEC meeting to investigate the allegations.

The Gupta family on Tuesday welcomed the ANC's decision to investigate the alleged capture of the state by any business entities.

The Gupta family said it expected the investigation to ultimately allow the truth to be recognized and end the current trial by innuendo and slander, said the statement.

"We will fully cooperate with the Office of the (ANC) Secretary General during the information gathering process.

"We reiterate our support for the country's Constitution and the rule of law and believe state capture from any quarter should be condemned. We remain committed to the overall well-being of South Africa and all its citizens,"the Guptas said in a statement.

The statement said it would be inappropriate for the Gupta family to comment any further until publication of the findings.

With huge businesses in SA, the Gupta family reportedly keeps close ties with Zuma, his family and the ANC. Enditem