IN GRIP OF MUGABE SYNDROME!

By RW Johnson -Johannesburg.

Why is President Thabo Mbeki clamping down on the press?

He is angry that no newspaper takes a simple African National Congress (ANC) view of life. Plans are afoot forcibly to change press ownership to make sure “other voices” (ie his) are heard. On top of that, he sees even mild or indirect criticism as the work of “enemies trying to destroy the ANC”.

Doesn’t he have a firm hold on power?

The ANC has a two-thirds majority in parliament and will hold power for a long time to come. But if anyone other than Mbeki is chosen as party president by the ANC congress in December, real power will quickly flow to that person. Mbeki will be a lame duck and might even be forced out of power before his presidential term ends in May 2009.

Surely he can take a bit of criticism?

His actions and writings have become increasingly wild and unbalanced in recent months and he has sacked as untrustworthy anyone who shows anything but slavish deference. It’s the Mugabe syndrome.

Is press freedom in danger?

Yes. If Mondli Makhanya is sacked or jailed, we are in uncharted territory. In addition the government is introducing laws to force editors of magazines to submit stories in advance to a government vetting body - ostensibly to prevent child pornography. But the South African press will not give in easily. Already there are anguished appeals to Nelson Mandela to speak out. Without doubt Mandela disapproves. If he speaks out, Mbeki is finished.

By the Sunday Times.