The Sunday Times political journalist is suspended

The senior political writer of the Sunday Times, Ranjeni Munusamy, was suspended by the newspaper after her admission that she passed a story on spy allegations involving the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka, on to rival newspaper City Press. The story ran by City Press alleged that Ngcuka could have been an agent for the Apartheid government. Munusamy resigned before disciplinary measures were taken against her. As result of the report, a presidential commission under chairmanship of Judge Hefer was instituted to establish the truth about allegations made by Munusamy. She was subpoenaed to testify before the commission, but refused, citing fear to breach her ethical duties to a confidential source. Judge Hefer finally said that Munusamy's testimony was not essential and that the commission could carry on without it. Ngcuka was later cleared by the commission.       Click here to see Hefer Commission report References: Harper P,(2003),'Journalist Suspended over Ngcuka row',from the Independent Online,14 September,[Online],Avaliable at www.iol.co.za [Accessed:13 September 2012]