Journalist behind the leaked BDP tape
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Monday August 18, 2014 15:41
In the tape that is still airing on Gabz FM, minister Mokgweetsi Masisi is heard saying one of the ruling party strategies would be to go on Facebook with fake names and attack their critics. The WeekendPost also published extensively contents of the behind closed door meeting featuring Masisi, President Ian Khama, MP Botsalo Ntuane, and BDP campaign manager, Alec Seametso, secretary General Mpho Balopi.
In the recording Khama is heard telling Seametso to report to Cabinet every Monday as part of the party campaign strategy.
The BDP top brass revealed at their Thursday press conference that they have since approached the editor of the WeekendPost about what they say was unethical practice.
The BDP secretary general, Mpho Balopi, says the newspaper editor assured them that the reporter will face the music. The WeekendPost editor Aubrey Lute, however, disputed this, saying it is not true that the BDP has talked to them. “The BDP has not complained about any story to us. They should name that journalist,” Lute said. Balopi says the press was only allowed to cover the BDP event during the opening ceremony and they were requested to leave the area to allow party members to discuss freely their strategies.
Also in the leaked tape Minister Masisi demonstrates his hatred towards the media, singling out the Dikgang Publishing House stable, specifically, The Guardian, The Midweek Sun, The Monitor, Mmegi, and Gabz FM, and calling them “the Big Five”.