IFEX- News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - SOUTH AFRICA

29 May 2002

University vice chancellor threatens to sue "Mail and Guardian" newspaper

SOURCE: Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI), Johannesburg

(FXI/IFEX) - The new vice chancellor of the University of South Africa
(Unisa) and former chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission,
Barney Pityana, who oversaw the hearings into racism in the media, has
accused the "Mail and Guardian" newspaper of racism and is threatening to
take it to court for defamation.

In the 24 May 2002 issue of the "Mail and Guardian", it was reported that
extravagant spending has wiped out hard-won financial gains at Unisa.

According to the newspaper, Unisa is spending millions of rands on Pityana's
accommodation in a stately historic mansion in Pretoria, which is to be
renovated at the cost of about R2-million (approx. US$204,600). The
university had just sold the property at the time Pityana arrived and had to
pay R1.7-million (approx. US$173,900) to extricate itself from the sale. The
newspaper also reported that refurbishment of Pityana's offices on campus
will cost the university another R1.5-million (approx. US$153,400).

The newspaper made further allegations that the university management and
council team organised a trip to Mauritius, where Pityana and council
chairperson McCaps Motimele travelled first-class. It also alleges that the
university spent more than R200,000 (approx. US$20,500) on Pityana's
inauguration ceremony in early 2002.

On Tuesday 28 May, Pityana denied the "Mail and Guardian"'s claims that he
was squandering university funds, saying the report was part of a racist
campaign to discredit him and other black university leaders.

For further information, contact Scotch Tagwireyi, FXI, P.O. Box 30668,
Braamfontein, 2017, Johannesburg (Street Address: 5th Floor Argon House, 87
Juta Street, Braamfontein, Johannesburg), South Africa, tel: +27 11 403
8403, +27 82 821 0756, fax: +27 11 403 8309, e-mail: [email protected],
Internet: http://fxi.org.za

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of FXI.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit FXI.
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