Dear Mr Selebano
Your complaint against the Sowetan (Plot to kill ANC leader, published on 11 March 2013) refers.
In your complaint you say that the newspaper has illegally recorded you, without your knowledge or consent.
Sowetan argues its case quite convincingly, but be that as it may: Section 1.1 of the Press Code says: “News should be obtained legally…unless public interest dictates otherwise.” (emphasis added)
The story was clearly in the public interest, which makes the question if the newspaper gathered its information from you illegally quite irrelevant.
I therefore dismiss your complaint.
Our Complaints Procedures lay down that within seven working days of receipt of this decision, either party may apply for leave to appeal to the Chairperson of the SA Press Adjudication Panel, Judge Bernard Ngoepe, fully setting out the grounds of appeal. He can be contacted at Khanyim@ombudsman.org.za.
Regards
Johan