No War on Leaks dinner, says Presidency

Monday, August 31, 2015

Pretoria – The Presidency on Monday rejected a media report regarding a dinner that was to have been addressed by President Jacob Zuma, in Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape.

The City Press on Sunday reported that the President attended a dinner and addressed councillors after Friday’s launch of the War on Water Leaks programme, aimed at curbing leaking water taps and pipes in communities and to promote water conservation throughout the country.

According to the Presidency, the story quotes what the President was supposed to have said at the alleged dinner.

“President Zuma did not attend any dinner in Port Elizabeth. He was never scheduled to attend and address any dinner and had also not been invited to attend any dinner. The President left Port Elizabeth after the launch of the War on Water Leaks programme. By around 4.30pm he was already in Pretoria,” said the Presidency.

It added that the article was an indictment.

“For a newspaper to report on a non-existent event, and even directly quote the President and attribute to him words he never spoke, is a frightening indictment of City Press. The newspaper’s editorial management must be able to distinguish between fact and fiction.” – SAnews.gov.za