JOINT SUBMISSION BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL EDITORS’ FORUM, THE PRESS COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA, THE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS, MEDIA MONITORING AFRICA, THE FORUM OF COMMUNITY JOURNALISTS, SOS SUPPORT PUBLIC BROADCASTING COALITION, THE GIBS MEDIA LEADERSHIP THINK TANK, THE CAMPAIGN FOR FREE EXPRESSION, THE CAMPAIGN ON DIGITAL ETHICS, AND TWO INDEPENDENT EXPERTS ON THE PROVISIONAL REPORT OF THE MEDIA AND DIGITAL PLATFORMS MARKET INQUIRY
October 24, 2025
SOS hosts three Continental consultations for ACHPR’s Resolution 631 in 3 months
December 12, 2025SOS calls for an urgent investigation into alleged corruption and collusion by SABC journalists
SOS is deeply concerned by reports that two SABC journalists have allegedly colluded with corrupt officials to conceal corruption within the Ekurhuleni Municipality.
According to a formal complaint submitted to the SABC Board, the Presidency, and the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), two senior SABC political journalists are accused of blocking reporting on alleged corruption, nepotism, maladministration, procurement abuses, tender irregularities in the metro in exchange for municipal communications tenders. The complaint further highlights a “coordinated relationship” between the journalists and the municipality.
As the public broadcaster, the SABC carries a constitutional and public mandate to adhere to the highest ethical standards and in doing so report truthfully, impartially and accurately without fear or favour. This mandate is fundamental to our democracy and cannot be compromised by political or commercial interference, or by corrupt relationship for personal gain.
The alleged collusion between journalists and municipal officials to suppress legitimate stories undermines public interest journalism, in particular core journalistic values and ethical standards a public broadcaster should uphold. SABC has worked hard to rebuild credibility of its news following state capture and the Hlaudi Motsoeneng era. If valid, these allegations have the potential to deeply erode the credibility and public trust in the SABC and reverse positive gains made.
SOS supports the complainant’s call for an urgent inquiry into the conduct of the implicated journalists, but add that any such inquiry and investigation into potential financial ties between the journalists and the municipality’s communications apparatus is made public in its entirety. The allegations are not an attack on the SABC as an institution, but a call for accountability, transparency and the protection of our public broadcaster’s editorial independence. A public investigation would help expose wrongdoing and help mitigate damage to the integrity and credibility of the entire SABC newsroom.
SOS welcomes the SABC’s assurance, expressed through Head of Communications, Mmoni Ngubane, that the allegations will be taken seriously. However, given the gravity of the allegations and the risk they pose to the SABC’s integrity and credibility, SOS urges the SABC to be prioritize transparency and public accountability during this time. A mere internal process will not suffice, the SABC must bring the public into its confidence. SOS reminds the SABC of its responsibility to keep the public fully informed on matters of public interest.
The public has a right to know that its public broadcaster is acting in the public interest and not serving political or commercial agendas and that the matter has undergone a thorough investigation followed by subsequent disciplinary actions.
The SOS Coalition further notes claims raised by former SABC journalist Tshepo Ikaneng, who has reportedly been recently dismissed for allegedly being intoxicated at work. We understand that the SABC has taken legal steps against him. XYZ media reported that in social media posts, Tshepo Ikaneng claimed that his dismissal was also fueled by his threat to expose corruption and nepotism. He also allegedly claimed that Deidree Uren is colluding with Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) head William Baloyi to undermine the African National Congress (ANC), uMkhotnto Wesizwe Party (MKP) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in favour of the Democratic Alliance (DA), ahead of local government elections. Regardless of the circumstances, we urge the SABC to also thoroughly investigate these claims, and to ensure that the case and evidence is made public. While ordinarily such matters may be left to internal disciplinary processes the allegations leveled are serious and necessitate public scrutiny to also ensure credible and fair coverage in the upcoming elections.
For media inquiries contact:
SOS National Coordinator
Uyanda Siyotula
060 691 2462
