SABC's Mokoena accused of "lacking intellectual rigour" - for denouncing Zanu PF election interference. W Mukori

 Zanu PF propagandists and apologists are renowned for their shooting from the hip Dereck Goto’s latest epistle takes the biscuit. 

“If Sophie Mokoena is truly representative of the so-called "journalistic standards" at SABC, then it's no wonder people question the intellectual rigour of South African media as a whole,” Dereck opened his attack with scad missile, drowns, everything in the Bulawayo 24 artle.

“A woman in charge of an entire foreign desk at a national broadcaster yet incapable of basic critical thought is a glaring embarrassment. Instead of reporting on the news, she absurdly turns herself into the story! What kind of so-called journalist behaves in such an unprofessional manner?

“Yes, everyone knows journalists can be bought, but at least make an effort to disguise it. Mokoena's lack of subtlety in her bias is painfully obvious to anyone paying attention. Her open allegiance to Saviour Kasukuwere has turned her coverage into nothing but petty bitterness against Zanu-PF.

“Her approach to reporting on Zimbabwe is not only crude but utterly devoid of professionalism,” he finished.

Finished? You might well ask. Yes this was it! 

If you are going to accuse someone of bias, lacking intellectual rigour, etc., etc.; you should at least have the common sense to name even one example where Ms Mokoena was biased, lacked intellectual rigour, etc. The idiot did not name even one case much less provide the supporting evidence!  

Ms Mokoena’s SABC video commenting of the recent Botswana elections has gone viral. In the video she condemned Zanu PF’s blatant interference in Botswana and Mozambique’s elections. Of course, Ms Mokoena is right to condemn the interference. Goto did not dare deny Zanu PF interference because there is a mountain of evidence of Zimbabweans voting in Mozambique elections, for example. 

Mozambique is on fire right now, the opposition and their supporters are protesting against the election results, claiming the ruling party rigged. Every thinking Zimbabwean out there must be hanging his/her head in shame because we know Zanu PF played a role in the rigging!

It is bad enough that Zanu PF blatantly rigged last year’s elections, both SADC and AU elections observers condemned the process as flawed and illegal. It is totally unacceptable that the regime should be interfering in the election process in other countries. Kudus to Ms Mokoena and SABC for taking the lead in publicly denouncing Zanu PF for the regime’s failure to hold free, fair and credible elections in Zimbabwe and for exporting the deadly practice to other countries. 

Zanu PF interfered in Mozambique and Botswana elections and it is nonsense to accuse Mokoena and SABC of lacking intellectual rigour for condemning the interference. But then, this is the typical knee-jerk reaction expected from the regime especially now when it cornered and has nowhere to hide!