Cape Town Press Club secretary Donwald Pressly has remained tight-lipped about his suspension following his “astonishingly vitriolic attack” on National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete and National Council of Provinces chairperson Thandi Modise.
In reply to a request that Pressly alert the club members about a mid-term report briefing on the work of the fifth Parliament, he asked: “What is so important about ANC thugs wanting to advertise their press conference, which is NOT our function,” according to Parliament Spokesperson and Parliamentary Communication Services Division Manager, Moloto Mothapo.
Mbete and Modise were to address the briefing.
Pressly was previously dismissed by Independent Media as Business Report’s Cape Town bureau chief and parliamentary correspondent following an internal disciplinary process over his conduct in 2014.
He was found to have violated the company’s editorial code of conduct and code of ethics by applying to become a DA MP while being employed by the company.
The DA rejected his application.
Mothapo said: “Mr Pressly’s livid refusal to let the Press Club members know about the briefing was unwarranted and at odds with the club’s stated objectives - ‘to promote the professional, social and other interests of Cape Town’s press, media and communications industries, and thereby to endeavour to enhance, uphold and defend the fundamental rights of freedom of speech, conscience and association, principles secured in the constitution.
“The Cape Town Press Club prides itself on being the oldest such club in South Africa, established, it says, in 1975 to promote free speech.
‘‘Given its history and the fact that several of its members report on Parliament, it is reasonable to expect the club to take Mr Pressly to task for his unwarranted derogatory remarks about the national legislature’s leadership.
"It would be regrettable, indeed, if the impression was to be created that Mr Pressly’s hostility is shared by other members of the club.”
Approached for comment Pressly said: ‘‘I can’t comment, I am afraid. As you can see, I am facing a disciplinary hearing, so I can’t say anything now.”
The club’s vice chairperson, Martin Slabbert-Capper, said they “unconditionally” distanced themselves from Pressly’s comments.
“The Press Club has noted a press release issued by the presiding officers of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces and will request a meeting with them.
‘‘Mr Pressly is a paid employee of the club and not an elected member of the committee. His comments do not represent the views held by the club’s committee.”