Why Sunday World should not have interviewed Bishop Stephen Zondo

Bishop Stephen Zondo. Picture: Twitter.

In March, Sunday World interviewed rape accused pastor Bishop Stephen Zondo on his ongoing rape trial in court.

The Rivers of Living Waters church leader is facing a host of rape charges, which he claims in his interview with Sunday World, are allegations fabricated by his “enemies” to “destroy” his church.

The embattled pastor made a series of shocking claims during his wide-ranging interview with Sunday World, including that he was a victim of a deep-seated anomaly of the so-called 'pull him down' syndrome embedded in the black community, and that the rape charges leveled against him were baseless without any DNA evidence to prove he was the perpetrator.

"South Africa is one of the countries most affected by gender-based violence. According to a study by the Human Sciences Research Council, one in three women in South Africa have experienced either sexual or physical abuse. This translates to nearly 8 million women who have been victims of gender-based violence."

Considering these alarming figures, institutions that wield power to inform and persuade the public, such as the media have a responsibility to ensure that they do not platform individuals who are being formally and legally charged with rape or abuse as this can influence the public narrative in their favour before any legal verdict has been reached, which further places the victims of being ostracised and victimised.

The media can afford someone the right to a fair hearing and freedom of speech, as enshrined in our Constitution. But platforming a man facing a heap of rape charges in court can be dangerous to both victims and society at large.

Allowing a public figure like Zondo to publicly denounce charges as baseless, while there is an ongoing court case against him, can result in victim-blaming. This has been cited as one of the reasons why victims do not come forward to report their cases and instead choose to alienate themselves. It is also very concerning that a news platform, like Sunday World, chose to platform a rape accused over giving a voice to the victims, taking into account how wide-spread and prevalent gender-based violence is In South Africa.

Finally, the media plays an essential role in maintaining the integrity of a judicial process. In legal matters, especially concerning rape, facts must be weighed carefully. When accusations become subject to public spectacle, they may cloud the objectivity necessary for a fair trial. The legal system exists to allow both sides to present their case under controlled conditions, not in front of a public that is already emotionally and socially influenced by media portrayals.

To ensure fairness and to protect the integrity of the judicial process, the media must exercise caution when covering cases like these. It is not enough to give equal weight to both sides when one is not yet proven to be true. The press must be responsible and mindful of its role in shaping public perception, understanding that while free speech is vital, so too is the right to a fair trial and a dignified life for all involved.