Ruling by the Press Ombudsman
24 May 2015
This ruling is based on the written submissions of Mr Thuso Mohohlo and those of Abdul Milazi, editor of the Sunday World newspaper.
Complaint
Mohohlo is complaining about a story in Sunday World of 3 May 2015, headlined Mary kicks ‘limp’ Ben10 to the curb – Ex-boyfriend accuses actress of cheating with Ghanaian man.
He complains that the newspaper got comment from him under false pretenses.
The text
The story, written by Ngwako Malatji, said that Rhythm City actress Mary Makhato (50) had allegedly been assaulted by her “Ben10” (Mohohlo), for cheating on him − as he was “a disaster between the sheets”.
The article went on to publish some personal and even intimate information about their relationship.
The complaint in more detail
Mohohlo says he and Makhato have had a running, love-related quarrel for some time, but that they eventually made peace. On May 1, Malatji phoned him and introduced himself as a journalist from Sunday World. “Ngwako said they’ve just been with my ex and she gave them a story about me and said they want to hear my side...”
He says he became emotional, thinking that Makhato had betrayed him. On that basis he agreed to the interview, and for pictures to be taken.
Mohohlo continues, “After the interview they called my ex and manipulatively said to her they are with me and I gave them the story, now they want her side…” He says Makhato refused to comment.
He concludes that the reportage has caused him huge unnecessary harm.
Sunday World’s response
Malatji says a source tipped him off about the quarrel, claiming that Makhato had kicked Mohohlo out of her house (after he accused her of having an affair with a man from Ghana). The reporter then phoned Makhato, who told him that Mohohlo was being spiteful. “She also said that she helped him a lot to ‘achieve certain things in life’ and expected their tiff to be resolved by their parents…”
The reporter adds that he then phoned Mohohlo, who refused to speak to him telephonically and insisted on a face-to-face interview at his home.
He concludes that his news editor, Amos Mananyetso, corroborates his account of the story.
Analysis
These are my considerations:
· The fact that Malatji spoke to Makhato prior to him contacting Mohohlo is not in dispute – and I have no reason to believe that she gave the reporter no information over the telephone;
· If Mohohlo’s emotion caused him to agree to an interview, surely the newspaper cannot be expected to carry the blame for his decision; and
· The phone call to Makhato after the interview with Mohohlo was normal journalistic practice – Malatji merely wanted to get comment from her.
I have no reason to believe that Malatji got comment from Mohohlo under false pretenses.
Finding
The complaint is dismissed.
Appeal
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 Appeals Panel, Judge Bernard Ngoepe, fully setting out the grounds of appeal. He can be contacted at Khanyim@ombudsman.org.za.
Johan Retief
Press Ombudsman