The “Bantu” Comment Controversy: Lizelle Strydom’s Litigation Against Sunday Times
The Press Ombud is an integral part of South Africa’s independent co-regulatory mechanism, established by the print and online media to ensure impartial, expeditious, and cost-effective adjudication of disputes between publications and the public. This mechanism is guided by two fundamental pillars: a commitment to freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, and adherence to high standards in journalistic ethics and practice.
The Press Code: A Guiding Principle
The South African Code of Ethics and Conduct for SA Print and Online Media (the Press Code) serves as the foundation for the Press Council, the Press Ombud, and the Appeals Panel. This code promotes fairness, accuracy, and accountability in journalism, ensuring that the public’s trust is maintained.
A Case in Point: Lizelle Strydom vs. Sunday Times
In 2015, Lizelle Strydom lodged a complaint against the Sunday Times, alleging that an article published on March 15, 2015, inaccurately portrayed her as a racist. The article reported on Strydom’s resignation as a tourism official in Hopefield after she refused to retract her claim that a mining development would attract South African Blacks people, referred to them as “bantus.”
The Press Ombud, Johan Retief, investigated the complaint and found that the Sunday Times had indeed breached the Press Code by incorrectly stating that Strydom was the head of tourism for the region and that the mine was a “phosphorous” one. However, the Ombud dismissed Strydom’s complaint regarding the use of the word “bantu,” citing authentic journalist notes that confirmed the use of the word.
Findings and Sanctions
The Press Ombud directed the Sunday Times to correct the errors and provide a text for publication, which would include a reference to the full finding on the Press Council’s website. The breach was classified as a Tier 1 offense, and the Sunday Times was given the opportunity to appeal the decision to the Chairperson of the SA Press Appeals Panel, Judge Bernard Ngoepe.
But the story doesn’t end there. In a twist, the litigation continued with an appeal lodged by Lizelle Strydom. Judge Ngoepe’s appeal ruling, however, confirmed the most damning finding of the first case. Find out in our next article, as we delve into the findings of the Appeals Panel.
