The Aubrey Tau Foundation has accused investigative news organisations Mail & Guardian and amaBhungane of publishing misleading reports that link former President Jacob Zuma and his allies to the planned 30 June shutdown, saying the reporting risks dividing South Africans instead of informing them.
In a statement issued on 28 June, the foundation criticised an investigative article titled “amaBhungane has traced links between March and March, figures close to Jacob Zuma and organizers behind the planned 30 June shutdown.”
The foundation argued that another headline appearing under the same report, “There is no evidence Zuma is directing the movement, but Zuma-linked networks are prominent,” contradicts the main story.
The foundation said the differing headlines raise questions about the reporting.
“A few conclusions can be arrived at: The story or stories are generated through artificial intelligence. No proper research is conducted but rather anything with Zuma in it, means there is some connection,” the statement reads.
It further accused amaBhungane of prioritising attention over factual reporting.
“amaBhungane is chasing clout and click baits. In the fast world of moving facts, a media house need not fall for trends but rather facts.”
The statement also included comments from foundation founder Aubrey Tau, who defended public concerns over illegal immigration and rejected suggestions that such concerns are inherently xenophobic.
“South Africans are not unreasonable to demand that the law is enforced and that politicians are held to account. Our country is under attack and our shows such as XDexport, Vimba and Sizokthola are showcasing the real issues faced by our people. Such cannot be dismissed as being xenophobic,” Tau said.
He argued that corruption and illicit trade are among the country’s biggest challenges.
“At the core of the unhappiness in this country is corruption and fake goods that are crippling factories and industries. It cannot be that we have unemployed graduates sitting at home that should be hired as labour inspectors, but government is not doing its part.”
Tau added that public demonstrations over illegal immigration have highlighted the need for stronger law enforcement.
“It is only through protest on illegal immigration that we hear about inspectors will be hired. There is nothing xenophobic about demanding for laws of the country to be enforced and citizens be allowed to protest when unhappy.”
The statement concluded by questioning how undocumented immigrants continue entering South Africa.
“We have to ask: how are government officials allowing illegal immigrants to enter the country without consequence? Where are the systems to detect such things? How many officials have been fired because of this?”
Bongi Sikelo 