Mandiwanzira Hits Back over Ncube Sting, by Lebo Nkatazo, New Zimbabwe, August 31, 2007

Mandiwanzira Hits Back over Ncube 'Sting'

By Lebo Nkatazo
New Zimbabwe
August 31, 2007

http://newzimbabwe.com/pages/roma42.16867.html

Journalist Supa Mandiwanzira has rejected claims that he led a "sting operation" by Zimbabwe's intelligence services on Archbishop Pius Ncube, a Catholic priest and critic of President Robert Mugabe accused of adultery.

Reports said last week that the South Africa Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) was investigating claims by The Zimbabwean newspaper that Mandiwanzira, their Zimbabwean correspondent, used the SABC to secure an interview with the archbishop, and then led journalists from Zimbabwe's state media whom the bishop would usually not have granted an interview.

CAUGHT: Our exclusive picture shows the moment Mandiwanzira showed Ncube a video of his alleged sexual activities

Accusing Mandiwanzira of being a CIO operative, The Zimbabwean quoted an unnamed Bulawayo journalist at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation's (ZBC) Montrose Studios as saying: "We were all surprised at Montrose Studios when we saw Supa Mandiwanzira, Happison Muchechetere (ZBC) and Tazzen Mandizvidza (ZBC) coming to collect cameras but they did not say what kind of assignment they were on."

But in his first public comments since the claims were printed and repeated in several other media outlets, Mandiwanzira said he had been shocked by the allegations, not least because none of the journalists who wrote the stories sought his comment.

BEFORE THE STORM: Ncube and Mandiwanzira before the interview

"No journalist has ever called me about that story, because it is convenient for those peddling these lies," Mandiwanzira blasted.

"The allegations are as shocking as they are completely unfounded. They were fabricated actually. Someone should phone the archbishop and ask whether I took anyone other than my cameraman to him, and whether we twisted any of his comments to make him look guilty. He is a man of God and I am sure he will tell them who was there.

"It has been claimed we hired or used ZBC cameras for the job. That's false because we have enough equipment, including cameras, for filming. So there was no need to go to the ZBC, or use their cameras.

"We had been tipped off that a story was brewing, and I phoned the archbishop to arrange an interview. His secretary gave us an appointment for the next day. Contrary to what has been alleged, never at any stage did I ask him about sex abuse allegations against Catholic bishops in America.

ACCUSER: Onesimus Sibanda claims Archbishop had two-year affair with his wife, Rosemary

"What I put to him was the claim that had been made by President Mugabe a week earlier, where he said some church leaders were sleeping around. That was the time when he said everyone had sinned, and that he would not deny the church's failures."

Mandiwanzira said it was only when they were leaving that he saw a group of people being "shepherded" through the archbishop's office by his secretary, with one individual carrying a video camera.

"So the idea that I gave out SABC jackets to ZBC journalists is crazy, not least because I was never issued an SABC jacket and have never seen one."

The British-trained journalist says his predicament is a result of a growing lobby which will defend anyone who criticises President Mugabe, and totally ignore their vices.

THE LAWYER: Sibanda's lawyer, Munyaradzi Nzarayapenga

He said: "It's perfectly understandable if some people want to save their own, but to try and make some ludicrous allegations that I work for the CIO, or that I was following a directive from the CIO is just not on. The fact of the matter is that I offered the story to the SABC and they commissioned it. Was it a credible story? Yes it was and the SABC found it interesting and they wanted it covered.

"This story was carried by all major international networks, those people don't work for the CIO. It's nonsense that anyone who covers the story is a CIO because it is helpful to the state. People are desperately trying to find issues where they will exonerate the bishop, but I don't think that it's fair for journalists to be thrown into the fray.

"I don't believe in the journalism of bashing the government so you can be a star. I believe in journalism of fairness and balance and the principles that we all know."

A Bulawayo man is suing the Archbishop for £80 000, claiming he slept with his wife over two years. Archbishop Ncube has not denied the allegations, but has filed a notice that he will defend the suit in court.

Ncube's supporters say he was trapped by the country's intelligence services, who planted secret cameras in his bedroom after pretending to be doing phone repairs. A man who has taken responsibility for the footage, Ernest Tekere, says Ncube slept with at least 10 different women.

DVD's of the archbishop's alleged sexual escapades have been released. A South African newspaper, The Sunday World, reported Sunday that one of the DVDs shows the archbishop bonking young boys.