The Independent on Saturday published an article entitled "Snoozing as Zuma Sweats" with caption, "IFP MP Zanisile Ncinane spent some quiet time in Parliament this week pondering constituency matters and other weighty topics while Deputy President Jacob Zuma fought for his political life".

The picture of Ncinane in dreamland and the heading and caption appeared on the front page of the Independent on Saturday.

What is irksome is the labelling of Ncinane as an IFP MP. Surely the Independent has a file, as well as party lists, to refer to when in doubt of MP's political affiliation. If my assumption is wrong, I cannot be wrong in holding that at the very least a phone call to Ncinane or his Chief Whip or any number of sources would have confirmed his party political affiliation.

One doubts whether Ncinane would have been summarily given IFP membership if he had been awake. Is someone at pains to give the country the impression that the IFP is a Party of snoozers?

On page 3 of the same publication Jeremy Micheals and Charles Phahlane correctly indicated that Ncinane is an ANC MP. How this man becomes an IFP MP on the front page and changes his political affiliation two pages later, can only be explained by the Independent. So much for perfectly impartial and responsible journalism!

On a different issue I noted with absolute disgust that my comments on the issue of sleeping in Parliament have been misreported and contorted beyond recognition. I have not at any stage expressed the view that I am in favour of sleeping in the House. Micheals and Phahlane would do well to check their facts.

For the record, I am a member of the Rules Committee. I am medically trained and was a professional nurse for many years before I came to Parliament.

When the issue of sleeping in Parliament was discussed in the Rules Committee, I indicated on record that it is improper conduct for members and this does not reflect a good image of Parliament. I also ventured that sleeping is unintentional and may be attributed to a variety of reasons, including health and the use of medication. This can be easily confirmed as the records of the session are available to anyone who cares to check them.

I respect the right of the media to report and mirror public sentiment, but I decry sensationalised and irresponsible journalism. It cannot by any stretch of imagination be difficult to seek and report the truth. If the troublesome duo of Micheals and Phahlane will get on with doing their work responsibly, that will give me and my colleagues in Parliament time to get on with our work so that we can move our country forward.