NUMSA DESPISES SOWETAN HEADLINE!

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) despises the Sowetan headline story "Zuma blasted by Vavi", which is contained in today's edition of the newspaper. This headline is misleading and personifies juniorisation of the newsroom and embedded sensationalist profit driven headlines engulfing our country post-1994 democratic breakthrough.

NUMSA is interested to know whether the Acting-Editor Thabo Leshilo and other Senior Editors of the Sowetan were in their right mind when they approved the headline from junior copy - editors. It is disgusting to see this esteemed newspaper, owing to its rich history during its days as The World, is now degenerating and acts as a rented agent to sour divisions in the ANC-led Alliance as we approach the local government elections.

In no way did Cde Zwelinzima Vavi, General Secretary of our federation, COSATU, attack the President of the ANC and Republic Cde Jacob Zuma. In fact we share the broad thrust of Cde Vavi's input to our National Bargaining Council.

We fully support COSATU's call to the Sowetan to publish a retraction and apologise for their distortion and misrepresentation.

Statement issued by Castro Ngobese, NUMSA National Spokesperson, April 6 2011

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