By Carien du Plessis
Political Bureau
Ambassador-designate to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, was sacked as Western Cape premier because of allegations that journalists were being paid to write favourable stories about him, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe has revealed.
Mantashe told journalists in Johannesburg yesterday that Rasool was removed in July 2008 "on the basis of this case", a reference to allegations that money was paid to former Cape Argus political reporter Ashley Smith and its then-political editor, Joseph Aranes.
Smith has since "confessed" to being used to write articles favourable to Rasool's ANC faction, but the former premier has denied it and challenged anyone with evidence to come forward.
Mantashe also cast doubt on Smith's affidavit, suggesting he had been paid by enemies of Rasool.
The Cape Argus took action against both journalists when the allegations surfaced. Rasool, however, has been redeployed by his party from Parliament's backbenches to a diplomatic posting in Washington.
Both journalists denied any involvement when the allegations first surfaced five years ago, but in an affidavit made in June, Smith admitted he was paid to promote Rasool's agenda. Smith left the Cape Argus in April 2006.
When Rasool was recalled, the ANC leadership said it was to improve service delivery after bitter in-fighting between factions led by Rasool and former Western Cape ANC secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha.
Rasool's removal came in the wake of the party's 2007 national conference in Polokwane where President Jacob Zuma was elected, putting in question the future deployment of premiers who had been appointed by former president Thabo Mbeki.
Mantashe yesterday questioned the truthfulness of Smith's affidavit, saying that Smith had "lied for a fee" before and would do so again.
Smith offered the affidavit to the NPA in return for indemnity against prosecution.
Mantashe hinted that enemies of Rasool were behind Smith's revelation and that this had been timed to coincide with his Washington appointment, to damage his chances of securing the post.
Senior ANC leaders have used Smith's affidavit to justify regulating the media, arguing that the practice of journalists being paid for writing particular stories was becoming a trend.
Mantashe's criticism yesterday was more measured. He said the same sources often leaked stories to journalists, which led to their becoming spokespeople "for a faction in a province". "That is going to kill journalism, not now but in 10 years' time," he warned.
Editor-in-chief of Independent Newspapers Cape, Chris Whitfield, said last night: "Mr Mantashe needs to tell the public why the ANC has never revealed it had taken this action until the Cape Argus itself revealed that payments for stories had allegedly been taking place."