Newspaper recalled over Mudge blunder

IN an unprecedented move, the weekly English-language free newspaper Informanté has ordered the recall of all its copies printed and distributed yesterday, as a result of mistaken identity in their lead story.

The publication of the article headlined ‘Mudge’s politics leads wife astray’ has been blamed on Informanté news editor Mbatjiua Ngavirue, who was slapped with a suspension letter with immediate effect. As The Namibian started following up the story after establishing that it was a serious case of mistaken identity involving prominent politician and Member of Parliament, Henk Mudge, the paper was busy doing damage control, including the recall of the entire edition.Editor Max Hamata confirmed that the October 9 edition was recalled because of the Mudge divorce story, which turned out to be about the wrong person.Hamata also told The Namibian that the news editor was suspended for having allowed the story into the paper.”Yes, we have suspended him, because he is the final gatekeeper,” Hamata said.The Informanté story is based on a divorce case that was heard in the High Court on Monday last week, in which architect Rynand Mudge – and not politician Henk Mudge – was dissolving his marriage.Both Mudges’ first names are Henry Ferdinand.The paper is distributed across the country and by yesterday, The Namibian could not determine the distribution area the recalled edition had reached.Mudge told The Namibian that the article, in which he is said to have sued his wife for divorce for adultery, was “devoid of any truth”.”This is the best example of disregard for basic ethics.This is not only hurtful to me, but my children and especially my wife,” Mudge said.He described the article, in which his wife is said to have admitted to an adulterous relationship and not opposing the divorce application, as the “worst case and form of character assassination”.”Whatever they do, including recalling the edition and apologising to me, will not repair the damage they have done to me and my family,” Mudge said He said he was not interested in an apology – “this is not just a basic error.Even if it was true [the reasons for the alleged divorce] it is unacceptable to see to what extent a newspaper can go to invade the privacy of others”.”The recall of the paper was too late – damage has been done.Whatever they do will not neutralise what happened,” he emphasised.For his part, Hamata said he believes the damage caused to the Mudge family would be minimal, as the copies destined for the regions had not yet been dispatched when the error was pointed out.The editor added that he was busy managing the damage and regretted the error.Mudge said he was consulting his lawyers before deciding on an appropriate course of action.Informanté is part of the Trustco Group, which is one of the few local companies listed on the Namibian Stock Exchange.As The Namibian started following up the story after establishing that it was a serious case of mistaken identity involving prominent politician and Member of Parliament, Henk Mudge, the paper was busy doing damage control, including the recall of the entire edition.Editor Max Hamata confirmed that the October 9 edition was recalled because of the Mudge divorce story, which turned out to be about the wrong person.Hamata also told The Namibian that the news editor was suspended for having allowed the story into the paper.”Yes, we have suspended him, because he is the final gatekeeper,” Hamata said.The Informanté story is based on a divorce case that was heard in the High Court on Monday last week, in which architect Rynand Mudge – and not politician Henk Mudge – was dissolving his marriage.Both Mudges’ first names are Henry Ferdinand.The paper is distributed across the country and by yesterday, The Namibian could not determine the distribution area the recalled edition had reached.Mudge told The Namibian that the article, in which he is said to have sued his wife for divorce for adultery, was “devoid of any truth”.”This is the best example of disregard for basic ethics.This is not only hurtful to me, but my children and especially my wife,” Mudge said.He described the article, in which his wife is said to have admitted to an adulterous relationship and not opposing the divorce application, as the “worst case and form of character assassination”.”Whatever they do, including recalling the edition and apologising to me, will not repair the damage they have done to me and my family,” Mudge said He said he was not interested in an apology – “this is not just a basic error.Even if it was true [the reasons for the alleged divorce] it is unacceptable to see to what extent a newspaper can go to invade the privacy of others”.”The recall of the paper was too late – damage has been done.Whatever they do will not neutralise what happened,” he emphasised.For his part, Hamata said he believes the damage caused to the Mudge family would be minimal, as the copies destined for the regions had not yet been dispatched when the error was pointed out.The editor added that he was busy managing the damage and regretted the error.Mudge said he was consulting his lawyers before deciding on an appropriate course of action.Informanté is part of the Trustco Group, which is one of the few local companies listed on the Namibian Stock Exchange.