Sekunjalo scolds ‘defamatory’ Times Media
Sekunjalo Investments has again lashed out at the Times Media Group, accusing its rival media group of defamation and trying “to smear its reputation and good name”.
The latest in an ongoing spat relates to charges of price-fixing aimed at Sekunjalo’s Premier Fishing, which Times Media publication, the Sunday Times, reported could face a multimillion-rand fine from the Competition Commission.
Sekunjalo CEO, Khalid Abdulla said: “the latest attempt by the Sunday Times is a cheap shot aimed at Sekunjalo”.
“It is well known that Premier Fishing is in discussion with the Competition Commission around an investigation into the small pelagic industry and this is yet another desperate attempt by the Sunday Times to portray Premier Fishing in a bad light,” Sekunjalo said in a statement.
The group said it has been subjected to defamatory attacks by the Times Media Group (TMG) over the last few months since it acquired Independent News Media South Africa (INMSA).
“TMG Newspapers and online has published almost 60 articles on Sekunjalo since its acquisition of INMSA,” it said.
The group claimed that in almost all instances the articles are defamatory and an attempt to paint a negative picture of Sekunjalo in the eyes of the public, readers and advertisers.
“This shameful attempt by Sunday Times and TMG’s associated newspapers and online sites is a desperate attempt to undermine INMSA in the market place.”
The investment group accused the Sunday Times of disregarding and disrespecting regulatory authorities and their process by publishing information which is not complete and “uses it to create the impression that the company has committed a transgression”.
“We reiterate, Sekunjalo Investments Ltd and its subsidiaries are fully compliant with the legal, ethical and corporate governance framework in South Africa and we emphatically reject any attempt to suggest that it or any of its subsidiary companies have been involved in blatant collusive practices,” Sekunjalo said.
“It is clear that Times Media Group and its publications have no regard for regulatory institutions and due processes. We are not surprised,” the group said.
In December, Sekunjalo laid criminal charges against the Sunday Times after it published extracts of a provisional report by Public Protector into the awarding of a tender to the company.
It later withdrew its charge, saying that it would take its complaint to the press ombud, instead.
Loading ...