The press officer grabbed the microphone again. ‘Just to be clear, I mean to expand a bit on what Mr Chetty was saying. Yes, she is still a member of staff but, for the moment and until her position becomes clearer, she is suspended with all the usual protections under employment law.’ She pointed to another journalist. ‘Just tell us who you represent.’
‘Daisy Evans, the Guardian. In their initial statement and in other follow-up remarks, the South African authorities have made it clear that they believe the British national – Lindi Seaton, as you say – has what they’re calling close links with this underground group, the Land Collective. How long have you been aware of those links?’
Anton took a moment. ‘Look, let me put it like this. Our staff are given a great deal of independence when they’re in the field. That’s the way we work and it accounts for our success. They are not expected to be referring things to me all—’
‘Could you just say whether it is true she had links with the Collective and how long you have known that?’
‘Well, it depends on what you call links.’ Exasperation ricocheted around the room. ‘It is part of our job to make connections with all parties to a conflict. We don’t make judgements.’
‘I’m not asking you to make a judgement. Did your employee have links or not? It’s quite simple, really.’
The press officer leaned over to the microphone. ‘There is absolutely no way the Trust was aware of any connection or link between Lindi Seaton and this so-called Land Collective when she was assigned to this mission in South Africa. We were first made aware that she had met a member of the group just two days ago. The facts are hazy. For obvious reasons we have not had a proper chance to debrief Ms Seaton.’
Another reporter spoke up. He directed his remarks at the press officer, ignoring Anton. ‘Surely any link would compromise your neutrality in the eyes of other parties.’
‘Clearly that is an issue and one we take extremely seriously. It is one of the reasons Ms Seaton has been suspended. Mr Chetty will take a couple more questions. Yes, the Financial Times.’
‘Mr Chetty, you said the Trust handed the documents to the British authorities and not just the South Africans. Why?’
‘It is our view, our preliminary view, that some of those who stand to gain from these land acquisitions, which we, er, believe to be irregular – that some of these companies and individuals are UK-based.’
‘Can you name any of them?’
‘No, I can’t. As I said, there may be legal implications. What I can say is that the beneficiaries range from individual investors to private equity—’