It has come to our attention that our report on Tuesday headlined “Malema takes aim at Zuma”, was not accurate.
In the report, we quoted ANC Youth League president Julius Malema as saying: “Since he got into power, comrade Zuma has been surrounded by bad advisers.”
We have been able to verify that Malema, in his speech to the Mopani regional Youth League conference last weekend, did not refer to President Jacob Zuma.
The Star and IOL regrets the error and unreservedly apologises to Malema for any embarrassment it caused.
Not disputed in the rest of the story are the statements attributed to Malema in which he criticised the government and the ANC for their decisions on Libya and their support for UN Resolution 1973 on a no-fly zone over that country.
* The report was based on a report filed by news agency African Eye News Service (AENS).
Sharon Hammond, the editor of AENS, said the reporter, Matome Sebelemetja, had initially confirmed the accuracy of the disputed quote and promised to fax copies of his notes.
“When the ANCYL disputed the quote, the reporter again assured us it was correct, and promised to fax us copies of his notes as proof.
“At no point did he indicate to AENS that he no longer stood by the story, nor that he had issued a letter to the ANCYL distancing himself from it. He has also failed to send us his notes and has ignored our numerous attempts to reach him and get clarity on the matter.
“As a result of his lack of co-operation and conduct in this matter, we have terminated his services as a freelancer,” said Hammond. - The Star