SANEF strongly rejects claims of inaction in Sunday World / GroundUp matter
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 April 2026
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) strongly rejects claims that it ignored allegations against Makhudu Sefara regarding Sunday World receiving a disproportionate amount of National Lotteries Commission (NLC) advertising. Sefara stepped down from his role as SANEF chairperson this week following an SIU statement alleging that he received Lottery money that was not used for its intended purposes. He has denied any wrongdoing.
At the centre of this matter is a complex and, at times, deeply contested dispute between Sunday World and GroundUp, stemming from an article published in August 2023. The issue generated robust debate within SANEF and we, therefore, approached the matter with the seriousness and procedural fairness it demanded.
SANEF appointed an independent panel in June 2024 to assess this very issue and advise on what steps the organisation should take going forward. The panel was led by Prof. Guy Berger, a globally respected academic and journalism professor. He was assisted by SANEF founder member, Sibusiso Mngadi.
Professor Berger’s standing in global journalism and media ethics is beyond reproach. He would never compromise his hard-earned reputation to protect an individual. Equally, Mngadi, now operating in the corporate sector and removed from daily newsroom dynamics, brought an additional layer of independence and objectivity. Neither had any vested interest in the outcome.
Suggestions by the GroundUp director, Nathan Geffen, that SANEF ignored the issue are neither true nor accurate and misrepresent the facts. They are a deliberate distortion intended to harm SANEF’s reputation. Geffen was aware of and participated in meetings where the issue was dealt with, including the one regarding the final report and its recommendations. The matter was thoroughly debated at the Council meeting. The SANEF Council is made up of 25 members, and general members are allowed to attend and participate in Council meetings. The February 2024 meeting in Cape Town was no different.
What SANEF was asked to investigate in 2023 was how Sunday World had received a disproportionate amount of advertising from the NLC and whether they had produced “puffed-up” stories as a result. At the time, there was no suggestion that Sefara had improperly and personally benefited from the NLC money. This time around, the SIU has stated that he received the money. It is for this reason that SANEF has asked a legal team to look into the latest allegations.
We call on media houses and colleagues to not only avoid chasing sensationalism but to report fairly and accurately, for journalism’s sake.
Please find the full findings of the report here: https://sanef.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SANEF-Panels-Report-to-Manco_07152024.pdf
-ends-
Note to Editors:
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists, and journalism trainers from all areas of the South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics, and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
For more information please contact:
Tshamano Makhadi – Acting Chairperson (082) 223-0621
Dr Glenda Daniels – Secretary-General (083) 229-9708
Sbu Ngalwa – Treasurer General (073) 404-1415
Sli Khanyile – Media Freedom Chair (083) 471-0367
Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695
Katy Katopodis – SANEF Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022
Dianne Hawker-Kalubi – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (072) 816 3559
Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
Sisanda Nkoala – SANEF Western Cape Convenor (073) 138 5564
Jude Mathurine – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (083) 799 1701
Twitter: @SAEditorsForum
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sanef.org.za
