Journalists walk out on Bathabile Dlamini

A media briefing organised by the Department of Social Development for Minister Bathabile Dlamini to address journalists on the social grant payment system came to nothing after journalists left the designated venue yesterday (Thursday) after waiting for more than two hours for her to turn up.
Journalists felt disrespected and decided to leave before the media session could start and indicated that this was the style they would adopt because politicians and newsmakers tend to take journalists for granted.
Polokwane Observer left one hour and 51 minutes after the announced starting time and while other media representatives were voicing their annoyance about no one from the department even bothering to update them on Dlamini’s whereabouts. Social Development Provincial Spokesperson Adele van der Linde did not want to comment on the matter as she explained that the presser had been organised by the national department, although she had passed on the invite.
A source confirmed that Dlamini later addressed officials from the department and added that it was useless because the public would not get the news about Sassa issues from them.

Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za