Letter to City Press

Dear Sir

City Press article "Ban Pule - FIFA" on Sunday, 06 October 2002

Whilst Kaizer Chiefs agrees that Jabu Pule has had a turbulent career, the club takes the article mentioned above with serious contempt, as an ill researched article with subjective reporting that has no base on Jabu having tested positive for taking banned substances.

Firstly, the writer of the article had no business contacting FIFA on an issue, which the local Institute of Drug Free sport, together with SAFA had no knowledge of. If Mr. Raymond Hack of the institute mentioned above had indicated to Mr. Pule Mokhine, the writer, that they were not aware of the case and that the player was not tested positive to any banned substance; we view Mr. Mokhine’s move as insensitive, unprofessional and irresponsible.

Secondly, the problem of chemical substances abuse is a national problem, which affects the broad spectrum of the youth of this country. It needs an objective and collective approach that would help deter the escalation of the problem than fuel it.

There is very little that your paper has done along these lines except to suggest that his problem is unique to him, like a Jabu Pule problem only. Jabu is one of many other youths in the country from different fields and walks of life who, happened to fall victim of this sickness. He and a thousand other young people need help, not condemnation particularly when they have come out in the open declaring their desperation for professional help.

We believe that Jabu and many other role models with the same problem can have their negative experiences turned into a positive testimony of influencing other youths about the dangers of chemical substances abuse.

Thirdly, it was quite interesting to read from, one of the daily papers, the Sowetan on Tuesday, 07th October 2002, quoting the same source as your paper, having researched the story with the local anti-doping structures and together with the South African Football Association.

That article was well researched and did not target the player in question directly but was addressing the issue as a matter of principle. Radio Metro also took that angle on Monday evening, investigative journalism within the confines of the ethics of the profession.

Certainly we have many questions now about the intentions of Mr. Mokhine in contacting FIFA about Jabu Pule. The real motive behind bringing the football world governing body, FIFA’s attention to a matter handled by Kaizer Chiefs, is still a mystery to us.

There is certainly maximum damage to the credibility of all stakeholders of football close to this matter, Kaizer Chiefs, Anti-doping Committee of South Africa, South African Institute for Drug Free Sport, the PSL and SAFA.

We have always believed we are doing the right thing with Pule but what your article has done is to potentially scare off all other players with a similar problem who could have come out to seek help.

The regrettable part of it is that we are inundated with calls from our supporters, who are expressing their anger, frustration and disapproval on how the Jabu Pule case was handled by City Press. Currently, there are widespread suggestions of “Anti City Press” campaigns including boycotting your paper/s.

In a democracy like ours, these suggestions are a form of expression that shows or conveys a message of discontent and dissatisfaction. We, however, believe in mutual respect that engages parties in a dialogue on sensitive issues like this.

It is entirely up to City Press to show the same kind of respect to Jabu, Kaizer Chiefs, South African football and most importantly, our millions of fans across the country who, surely contribute immensely to the 2.8 million loyal readers of the paper. To us your paper perpetrates a certain agenda known to you only, but definitely an abuse of media platform.

We demand a quick response to this letter and an explanation as to why would your paper publish such an irresponsible, biased article that prejudices our player’s condition.

Yours truly,

PUTCO MAFANI


Public Relations Manager