Recordings of a Luthuli House meeting dated 25 November 2016 reveal that several top ANC officials had allegedly given\u00a0the proposed “war room” smear campaign the go-ahead, according to a report by The\u00a0City Press.<\/p>\n
The war room was first brought to light by public relations expert Sihle Bolani, who claims she was owed R2.2 million for work done as part of the campaign. It was specifically tasked with discrediting opposition parties, and pushing pro-ANC propaganda.<\/p>\n
While the war room would have no official links to Luthuli House, it would establish a publication (The New South African) and talk shows featuring stories of ANC successes, while using so-called \u2018influencers\u2019 online to shift public discourse.<\/p>\n
In response, both the ANC and activist Shaka Sisulu, the other alleged war room architect, tried to distance the party from the campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir activities were not sanctioned by the ANC.We distance ourselves [from] any insinuation that any such campaign was known to or approved by the ANC,\u201d the party said.<\/p>\n
However, recordings of the meeting on November 25, as well as two other meetings at Luthuli House, suggest that the ANC had lied about the extent of its involvement in the creation of the war room. The recordings were taken by Bolani using her smartphone unbeknownst to the other members of the meeting.<\/p>\n
The recordings show:<\/p>\n
Jacobs has subsequently denied all allegations of impropriety against him his attorney, Mfana Gwala, said in a letter to City Press. In addition he had instructed them to pursue a case of defamation against Bolani. \u201cOur client has also written to the ANC leadership and indicated to them that he is prepared to subject himself to an investigation and disciplinary process.”<\/p>\n