South African newspaper is gagged

The newspaper was frequently in trouble during apartheid

A South African court has barred the Mail & Guardian newspaper from publishing a story involving an oil management company.

The investigative weekly frequently faced legal action from the state under apartheid, but has operated freely since the arrival of democracy in 1994.

Last week, the paper reported that the ruling ANC had received taxpayer funds from the oil company Imvume.

It was intending to run a follow-up story this week.

Asked for comment by the paper, Imvume's lawyers responded that the company's business activities and support for the ANC were a private affair, while ANC lawyers said their clients were not obliged to discuss donations received.

Press freedom

"We've been gagged," editor Ferial Hafajee said.

"Our biggest concern is press freedom, but we will respect the court's hearing," she added.

The four-hour hearing in the Johannesburg High Court took place after the printing of the paper had already begun on Thursday night.

Advocate Nazeer Cassim, appearing for Imvume, argued that the paper had obtained information illegally, infringing the company's constitutional right to privacy and dignity.

The Mail & Guardian's advocate, John Campbell, argued that the facts in the article did not infringe the company's rights as they had been confirmed by another source.

Mail & Guardian staff worked late into the night to produce an edition with the banned information blacked out.

The paper, which is normally on the streets early on Friday, is expected to appear later in the day.