Long gone are the days where the words you say about things mean the things you’re saying . No, we live in a much more nuanced society where “Shoot the Boer” means “Shoot the System” and “Burn The Herald” doesn’t mean do something, nor does it mean do nothing, but it certainly doesn’t mean, set fire to a newspaper.

The words quoted in newspapers three days ago were:

Down with The Herald, down, down. Burn The Herald. Fire to The Herald.

These were the words of Nelson Mandela Bay regional chairman Nceba Faku. Of course he says this is all nonsense and he’d never say anything to incite people to do anything as silly as burning down a newspaper. And it really doesn’t matter what their journalists and five other independent witnesses have to say about the situation.

Since the incident, the Herald has invited Faku to come and have a chat about the situation at their offices. He says he’ll have to talk to the bosses upstairs. No doubt they’ll be acting swiftly on this one.

Faku has also written an open letter to the Herald in which he says:

The skewed reporting of what I said could provoke individuals to commit arson, putting at risk the lives of innocent people, including municipal firemen and women who would no doubt be called to extinguish such a fire.

Thank you The Herald for writing an article that could incite people to burn down your newspaper. How irresponsible could you people be?

Further, he said:

I would not do or say anything which would compromise the discipline of my organisation as your paper falsely attribute.

Yesterday, when Mr. Faku was pressed further on the issue, he would confirm nor deny anything.

So where does that leave us dear reader? I’ll shoot this to you straight: Be afraid. This is as serious as it gets. It makes me shiver with fury.

Nceba Faku, you are a cowardly buffoon who can’t stick to his guns. And the organisation you work for promotes this kind of behaviour by defending you and people of your ilk, despite your severe transgressions. Instead, they should be casting you to the very depths of the sea, where you doubtless belong. Now there’s a metaphor, Mr. Faku.

[Source : PE Herald]