Independent Media chairman Dr Iqbal Surve.
Scrambling to cover their backs, and divert attention from what is really at stake – the subversion of democracy through the use of a network of disinformation operatives - News24’s nonsensical article written by a compromised journalist, Jeff Wicks, about the lawsuit against the mistaken public identification of Mohammed Yacoob Vawda by IOL and Independent Media, is a sign of desperation.
Whilst Mohammed Yacoob Vawda is at liberty, thanks to democracy, to launch his legal suits, he should be advised that he now stands on a sticky wicket himself, considering no law has been broken.
"Indeed, it is our contention that Vawda’s lawyer, Rupert Candy, is potentially aiming to extort money – to the tune of R1.2 million - from our companies, our editors and myself. We have informed Mr Candy that we will oppose any actions," Survé said in a media statement.
"I find it fascinating that Mohammed Yacoob Vawda from Kwa Zulu-Natal (KZN), goes all the way to Sandton to lay a charge – did he first meet with Fikile Mbalula of the ANC.
"Be that as it may, the News24 apartheid propaganda machine is now in full swing. They are devastated that we have exposed the sock puppet account @goolammv and Goolam Muhammad Vawda’s political handlers. In desperation, they are trying to intimidate my editors and I. We will continue to expose them, since these are without doubt, matters of public interest," Survé added.
He said the mistaken identification of Mohammed Yacoob Vawda, the comedian, was just that, an error, for which Independent Media's publications publicly apologised.
"He declined to engage with the team directly to accept our apology, instead resorting to legal counsel and bogusly claiming various injuries," Survé said.
He said Viasen Soobramoney and Senekal de Wet have been very clear that it was never the intention to reveal the wrong identity.
"Secondly, the claim that any of us have breached the cybercrimes act by revealing data, is also incorrect. No data about Mohammed Yacoob Vawda, other than that which is publicly available, was ever released by our publications or our editors or myself.
"The facts are that our revealing of the true identity behind the sock puppet X account @Goolammv – Mr Goolam Muhammad Vawda – is to stop the subversion of democracy. Goolam Muhammad Vawda and his handlers have waged a war of terror, defamation and harassment against many individuals and companies who have opposed President Cyril Ramaphosa and his allies, for six years," Survé said.
"Ismail Abramjee, a former apartheid collaborator, who is connected to the X account @Goolammv, tried to convince us that Goolam Muhammad Vawda was a ‘born free’, however, we know that he is 49 years and has been a tenderpreneur, is a charlatan and is extremely close to the presidency, the ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula, and senior members of the Democratic Alliance," Survé said.
He said News24, part of Media24, who appear to be supporting the spread of disinformation, if not actively campaigning, has itself, a long and sordid history with the country’s former oppressors.
Survé said Cornelius 'Cor' Jansen Bekker was one of the first civilians to be recruited by BOSS, the Bureau of State Security that organised assassinations and torture etc.
"Cor Bekker was none other than current chairman of Naspers, Koos Bekker’s father. The more things change the more they stay the same.
"In turn, Koos Bekker makes sure President Cyril Ramaphosa and his allies are protected, by placing key personnel affiliated to the President in his offices, and his publications attacking any media house that has a contrary view and/or that exposes Ramaphosa and cohort’s shenanigans.
"Contrary to this approach, and for the record, IOL, Independent Media and myself, will always defend the media’s right to do investigations and expose those who harm or intend to cause harm to the public, the country and its Constitutional democracy.
"Watch this space," Survé said.
IOL has reached out to News24 and Rupert Candy Attorneys for comment.
This is a developing story
IOL
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