Key Takeaways
- Two senior SABC journalists have been accused of colluding with Ekurhuleni metro mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza and senior municipal officials to block reporting on alleged corruption, nepotism, and tender irregularities.
- The journalists are allegedly leveraging their newsroom influence to shield Xhakaza from scrutiny in exchange for municipal communications tenders.
- A formal complaint has been filed with the SABC board chair, the Presidency, the department of communications, and the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) to investigate the matter.
- The complaint calls for an urgent independent inquiry into the conduct of the implicated journalists and a full review of editorial decisions on Ekurhuleni over the past 24 months.
Introduction to the Allegations
A complaint has been filed against two senior SABC journalists, alleging that they have been colluding with Ekurhuleni metro mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza and senior municipal officials to block reporting on alleged corruption, nepotism, and tender irregularities in the metro. The complaint, addressed to SABC board chair Khatutshelo Ramukumba and copied to the Presidency, the department of communications, and Sanef, contains explosive allegations that the journalists are leveraging their newsroom influence to shield Xhakaza from scrutiny in exchange for municipal communications tenders.
The Complaint and Its Allegations
The complaint, signed off as from "Concerned Civic Organisations and Workers of Ekurhuleni, Ekurhuleni Business Chamber, City of Ekurhuleni disgruntled workers living in fear," alleges that the duo’s companies were strategically positioned within the metro’s communications structure, effectively trading coverage for business advantage. The complaint describes this as a "coordinated relationship" that has actively blocked exposure of malpractice, allowing "corruption, nepotism, maladministration, and procurement abuses" to go unreported. The complaint also references the assassination of Mpho Mafole, the metro’s group divisional head for corporate and forensic audits, who was murdered in June shortly after uncovering irregularities in the R1.8 billion chemical toilet tenders.
Internal Sources and Whistle-Blowers
Internal sources have warned that whistle-blowers and officials who attempted to expose wrongdoing have been purged or intimidated through manipulated HR processes. The complaint also cites remarks by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who warned that journalists were being paid to suppress reporting on corruption, a claim which Sanef rejected at the time. The complaint alleges that Ekurhuleni functions as a "criminal and drug syndicate hub," with some officials, journalists, and even law enforcement members complicit in a climate of fear and concealment.
Call for Investigation and Action
The complainants have called for an urgent independent inquiry into the conduct of the implicated journalists, a full review of editorial decisions on Ekurhuleni over the past 24 months, and an investigation into any financial ties between the journalists and the city’s communications apparatus. They have stressed that the formal complaint is not an attack on the state broadcaster but a call to protect its editorial independence. The complaint also urges President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene to halt infiltration by alleged "mafias" and protect whistle-blowers and honest journalists.
Response from Sanef and SABC
Sanef chair Sbu Ngalwa has stated that the complaint is directed at the SABC and about the SABC, and that Sanef is mentioned in passing. The SABC spokesperson, Mmoni Ngubane, has said that the corporation takes such matters seriously and is committed to ensuring that any concerns raised are considered thoroughly, fairly, and with due regard for their editorial integrity and safety of all involved. The SABC has not commented further on the matter, pending an investigation into the allegations.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The allegations against the two senior SABC journalists are serious and have significant implications for the integrity of the state broadcaster and the freedom of the press in South Africa. The complaint has highlighted the need for an urgent independent inquiry into the conduct of the implicated journalists and a full review of editorial decisions on Ekurhuleni over the past 24 months. The SABC and Sanef have a critical role to play in ensuring that the allegations are thoroughly investigated and that measures are taken to protect whistle-blowers and honest journalists. The outcome of the investigation will be closely watched, and it is hoped that it will lead to a strengthening of the editorial independence of the SABC and a commitment to fearless and unbiased reporting.