Phathiswa Magopena instructed by SABC board member to interview Ramaphosa's wife
SABC board membe, Professor Saths Cooper told the SABC editor-in-chief to interview the first lady, Dr Tshepo Motsepe, as a way of sweetening access to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the axed news boss, Phathiswa Magopeni, has revealed.
Magopeni was fired in January ahead of a board inquiry into her complaint, which disclosed serious editorial interference by the SABC CEO, Madoda Mxakwe, chairperson, Bongumusa Makhathini, and now Cooper.
In a media statement released on 26 February, Magopeni said that Cooper had messaged her on 2 December 2021. His message said: “Change focus, go for wife on a very different kind of feature; use me as ref [reference] saying I’ve been pushing you…she knows me from her 1st yr [year] medical sch [school] days. As women are viewers on 1 &2, it’ll be a hit – her life etc.” Magopeni said this was an attempt to influence coverage of the President. Cooper added Motsepe’s number. “My response was ‘Great. Thanks’ and I did nothing with it,” said Magopeni.