ANC gives eNCA ultimatum to retract its defence of Dentlinger
The African National Congress (ANC) has given eNCA seven days to respond to its memorandum od demands in the ongoing Lindsay Dentlinger mask uproar.
The governing party staged a picket outside the broadcaster’s office demanding the station retract its statement in defence of its journalist.
This comes after a barrage of criticism waged against Dentlinger for her alleged ill-treatment of black politicians.
In a video shared widely on social media, Dentlinger is seen speaking to a maskless Freedom Front Plus leader, Pieter Groenewald, on the Parliamentary steps following the budget speech by Finance minister Tito Mboweni on Wednesday.
She does not ask him to speak with a mask on in the clip but did ask a black politician to wear a mask when speaking to her.
eNCA subsequently issued a statement saying Dentlinger’s conduct was not racially motivated or with malicious intent.
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ANC Deputy Secretary-General, Jessie Duarte said on Tuesday the broadcaster must withdraw its 'offensive' statement in seven days.
"We also want to say to you: it doesn't matter if you are black or white, when you are racist you are racist - your skin colour is immaterial when you are a racist,” said Duarte.
"eNCA is to send an unconditional apology to all South African for the pain and hurt that Dentlinger and eNCA have caused.”
She added the station has to also send its employees to a human rights training course.
"eNCA must acknowledge its history of mistreating its black journalists, we are telling you this because some of your workers are calling us and saying thank you for raising this issue," said Duarte.
