By Jackie Mapiloko
For the last two months I’ve been working on a story that was going to change my life.
It should have been published weeks ago, but I remember saying to my boss: “There’s something missing, I need more time.”
If this story’s aim was to make every humanitarians stomach turn with anger, then it deserved all the time and energy I was putting into it.
The headline flashing in my head was “The Prison Of Death.”
The initial tip-off was that prison officials had killed over 500 prisoners in the last couple of years using lethal injections.
“If a prisoner is terminally ill, prison officials give orders to the doctors to kill them instead of taking them home,” said the man on the other line of the phone.
Since that conversation, I’ve received documents that could end people’s careers, drove over 1 200km, met with dangerous looking people in dangerous places and received countless early morning calls from prisoners.
It was all worth it! “Finally I have a story that defines what investigative journalism is all about,” I thought to myself.
But my dreams and hard work came crashing down this week.
After sending questions to all relevant departments, I was confronted with the truth that brought tears to my eyes and a horrible chill down my spine — IT WAS ALL A LIE!!
Half of the documents in my possession had been fabricated. A fine art of cut-and-paste if I’ve ever seen one.
I was a pawn in some sick game, and I followed every instruction to the tee. I was told who to speak to, where to meet them, what documents they would provide and at the end of every conversation, I was reminded of the good job I was doing.
I think that’s where I went wrong. My emotional attachment to the story and the victory dances I was doing in my head clouded my judgement.
Looking back, there are some very very small details that could have given their game plan away.
But I guess when someone dangles a big juicy steak in front of you, it’s hard to ignore the smell.
As disappointed as I am, I’m kind of glad that I went through this so early in my career. What has come out of this mess is a much focused journalists who won’t fall for lame tricks.
But the thought that I still can’t shake off is: “What if all these lies were published?” … Oh shucks!!
Hi Jacky,
What were the motives in trying to get you to publish such a story?
The M&G was being set up. Just another ‘dirty tricks’ campaign to keep the ANC in power and to embarrass any individual or organization that shines the light of truth on the dirty deals that go unchallenged and even protected inside the ANC and YL.
You got your fingers singed on this one, Jackie, but at least no one got really burnt. Better luck with the next exposé.
BTW: editorial correction: humanitarian’s
They must have seen you coming
I shudder to think what would have been the outcome for M&G had this story been published – M&G would have been history, just as the unholy ones would like to see happen, as this tabloid is probably the only hones, independent one that is not afraid of exposing the truth. But continue going for the jugular – I hope to be around when that happens
Does we develop instinct with experience or are some of us just born with it?
The cliches sometimes work: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is and vice versa. That’s a lot of bodies to dispose of secretly…
Better luck next time, but it was probably instinct that held you back, so then it served you well.
Hi Jackie. Seven years ago a rape case unfolded in my neighborhood. Knowing the accused very well I was convinced (and I am still now) that it was a set-up to get rid of him because he knew too much. He became terminally ill in Westville prison and was due to be released, but left in a coffin. We buried him last autumn.
His trial was an open scandal. As a simple gardener he couldn’t afford a decent lawyer and “legal aid” finally wrapped him up. He got a life sentence. Leads that the investigating officer impregnated a major witness and other members of the Police regularly ‘partied’ at the holiday-home (without knowledge of the owners of course) were not relevant. I wished someone would find his case ‘juicy’ enough to re-investigate.
I don’t see how one can assume it was the ANC or YL from what the author has said?
I think that what the author has said here is that the media and journalists must be very sure of their facts before going to press. I think though that there is still a story there.
She should name and shame those who were misleading her for the con artists they are. Let those who were being set up know who they are up against and let the people out there know the truth and decide.
I appreciate your honesty. Well done!
Hi:Jackie
sorry that your story was not as you hoped but as you said “As disappointed as I am, I’m kind of glad that I went through this so early in my career. What has come out of this mess is a much focused journalists who won’t fall for lame tricks”.
it is indeed that it is a lesson learned but I think you should truely ask yourself why were you made to believe in such a story if it was a lie,two things I can think of is either someone wanted to make a fool out of,or the whole story is the truth is just that all the evidence needed is hidden or destroyed my advice is that even thou the story was not as you hope there may be truth hidden in this story,just imageb how many people would lose jobs if such a story was published,and I am sure all those people would do anything to hide the truth,even the politians,celebrities,etc
Why would anybody do such a thing? To go out of their way to humiliate someone else, to the point where you were told who to meet with and what documents you would receive? I just can’t understand that… There are some really sick individuals out there, who clearly have a lot of time on their hands.
So now the next level of investigative journalism begins. Who was behind this? What were there motives? Is this an isolated incident or part of a larger effort? As the plot thickens, don’t falter.
It’s rough for African Journalists.
You are seen as the enemy and those in power will go to substantial lengths to discredit or kill you.
Unfortunately, that makes your jobs even more important in the emancipation of this shackled continent.
What amazes me about South Africa’s people of the print media is that you are such ordinary people, yet you produce such extraordinary results. (I suppose this is true of most journalists of Africa who challenge their evil governments)
Remain vigilant and keep up the good work. Challenge without fear or favour and remember you are part of South Africa’s greatest heritage.
Jackie,
You were obviously convinced that there was a vestige of truth in the story. Perhaps you need to analyze more closely what that vestige was.
This story or (non story)seems to take the guise of a classic conspiracy theory.
Many people get sucked in by conspiracy theories such as the 911 theory or JFK’s murder or vaccines causing mass deaths and deformities.
What most conspiracy junkies overlook is that the very secretive nature of conspiracies would involve a large number of people to keep a secret, which as we all know is well nigh impossible!
Good integrity on your part to share the details with us !!
Sorry Girl.
Sorry Jacks, such is life. You know what they say about clouds and silver linings, right?….Yes I thought you did.
Nevertheless I believe the real story you conscience should compel you to investigating is why you were mislead and by whom…
There’s always a story…
Don’t I just know that feeling. Being suckered by people who use you for their own agenda. Nice of you to share this with us. Most people won’t be brave enough to admit they’ve been taken for a ride.
This is a valuable lesson and I am glad you see it that way. I have discovered over the years that the only defense one has against such people, especially if one cannot think as deviously as they do, is to keep emotion out of it. Difficult, yes, but stick to facts, always, and scrutinise them like evidence in a court case or a slide in the laboratory.
Jeepers creepers! they got you with a mere stick and didn’t bother to dangle even a single carrot? You must have given yourself away at some stage as a beginner. If they hadn’t deeped the stick in some juice I’d have cried insult, insult, downright impertinence!