February 12, 2025

AmaBhungane Must Stop Frivolous Attacks On Progressive Black Companies – Youth Business Chamber

0
Spread the love

The case which will be heard today, seeks to expose amaBhungane’s nefarious agenda against black businesses.

FILE PHOTO: Sam Sole of Amabhungane at the book launch. PICTURE: amaBhungane

0 0
Spread the love
Read Time:3 Minute, 57 Second

CAPE TOWN: These individuals are often heralded as beacons of truth, valuing the essence and independence of wisdom.

The Youth Business Chamber has come out strongly against AmaBhungane organisation, an investigative arm of the Daily Maverick, an online publication, in what it calls an unfair treatment of black businesses.

In a statement issued by the Youth Business Chamber, the organisation calls for the stop of amaBhungane’s ‘frivolous attack’.

“The Youth Business Chamber has observed a recent trend in the mainstream media and public discourse, where certain individuals and companies (particularly black businesses) are being targeted and singled out.

“These individuals are often heralded as beacons of truth, valuing the essence and independence of wisdom. However, the very same media swiftly penalise anyone who dares to express a divergent perspective, the organisation said.

This comes after Zunaid Moti and the Moti Group took amaBhungane to court to prevent them from continuing to expose what it calls suspicious business dealings. The case which will be heard today, seeks to expose amaBhungane’s nefarious agenda against black businesses.

AmaBhungane had published a series of articles on Zunaid Moti and the Moti Group that revealed Moti’s efforts to ingratiate himself with Zimbabwe’s political elites, and exposed suspicious financial flows via the Moti Group’s operations in Zimbabwe, as well as secret loan to an Investec employee tasked with limiting the bank’s exposure to the Moti Group’s ballooning debt, the News24 reported.

However, according to Youth Business Chamber, “amaBhungane (mainstream) media and certain factions seek to portray specific individuals and groups as voices of reason. The organisation questioned this position and asked: whose reasoning is being advocated for?

“They urge us to listen to our conscience but overlook our deeper consciousness, inadvertently implying that we should accept the status quo and heed those who have become deeply entrenched in the shadows of capitalistic influence,” it said.

“We strongly urge amaBhungane to cease their baseless attacks and dissemination of false information regarding Mr. Dondo Mogajane, and the Moti Group.

“The potential downfall of a respected leader like Mogajane, and the Group, would not only inflict reputational harm but could also result in the loss of thousands of job opportunities,” the Executive Chairperson of the Youth Business Chamber, Michael Mayalo said.

Moti Group, Zuniad Moti versus amaBhungane

FILE PHOTO: Zunaid Moti, the founder of Moti Group took amaBhungane to court. Photo: Supplied

On 1 June, Moti Group obtained an order on an urgent, ex parte and in-camera basis containing a final interdict directing amaBhungane to “return” the source material and an interim interdict restraining the investigative arm from reporting on such material or even “utilising” it.

amaBhungane went to court and a variation of the draconian order was issued, which meant they did not have to return the documents, but the gag remained until they had a chance to challenge the outcome of the original secret hearing, it was reported.

However, Mayalo believes amaBhungane is not working for the public interests as purported by the mainstream media. These sentiments are also echoed by Independent Media which claims that “Sam Sole, Managing Partner of AmaBhungane is currently waging an all-out public relations campaign that would have us believe that journalists are effectively above the law and that the rights of media trump all other rights. 

“But as this incident highlights, there is a very real risk that journalists can be unreliable narrators who fail to disclose key information or stories when it is not in their best interests,” the publication said.

“We encourage Mr. Mogajane and the Moti Group to persist in their efforts to challenge media outlets that present themselves as virtuous, yet harbour concealed motives to undermine progressive black businesses,” Mayalo conquered with Independent Media.

“The influence of mainstream media in controlling and manipulating the public is rapidly diminishing. Entities like amaBhungane no longer wield the ability to fabricate falsehoods and are being held accountable for impetuous journalism,” Mayalo continues to caution the public.

“The reality is that journalists must be subject to the same Constitution as other South African citizens and that the public must be allowed to challenge media in the courts without being tarred and feathered for daring to question them,” Independent Media said.

“We therefore caution News24 and amaBhungane against engaging in an agenda aimed at undermining black excellence and establishments that have diligently built their reputation, to serve as a proud voice of the people. Continuing down this path, will not only fuel South Africans’ anger but also risks igniting a powerful and widespread boycott of such discriminatory actions and media,” Mayalo concluded.

Moti Group and amaBhungane are to face off in court today in the hope to set aside the Moti Group’s court order against what News24 calls MotiFiles.

Happy
Happy
0 %
Sad
Sad
0 %
Excited
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
Angry
0 %
Surprise
Surprise
0 %
Please follow and like us:
Pin Share

About Author

Average Rating

5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

× How can I help you?