Dear Adv Itumeleng Masako,
Your complaint against Beeld refers.
You complain about stories that have been published some years ago.
The gist of the issue is that you were convicted and sentenced by a court of law (about which Beeld has reported). In March 2016, however, the Appeals Court found for you – and now you want a retraction and an apology from the newspaper, adding that it has not reported on your acquittal.
I am not even going to mention the details of your complaint or of these stories, as Section 1.3 of our Complaints Procedures does not allow me to entertain a matter that has been published so long ago.
A retraction or an apology is therefore out of the question.
I do agree with you, though, that the newspaper should have reported on the outcome of your appeal.
Beeld has prepared a follow-up story with exactly this in mind – but it has (rightly) delayed the publication thereof because you insist on an apology.
This text is balanced and it should be published.
Our Complaints Procedures lay down that within seven working days of receipt of this decision, you 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.
I am asking Beeld to delay the publication of its story until it becomes clear that you are not going to appeal, or if you are, pending its outcome.
Regards,
Johan Retief
Press Ombud