SANEF slams any surveillance, and criminal activity targeting journalists
08 July 2026
SANEF is closely monitoring the latest developments at the Madlanga Commission concerning Crime Intelligence’s surveillance of journalists, especially regarding the 2021 laptop burglary at Daily Maverick journalist Marianne Thamm’s home.
On 20 March 2021, SANEF issued a statement where we strongly condemned the threats, intimidation and bugging of investigative journalists by the Crime Intelligence division of the South African Police Service. SANEF called on SAPS to immediately cease the surveillance of journalists.
The journalist threatened at the time was the Daily Maverick’s Marianne Thamm, who had become a target of a Crime Intelligence investigation into the leaking of documents. Thamm was the victim of a house burglary during which her work laptops were stolen. Other valuables were left untouched.
Now that this issue has re-emerged at Madlanga, we will be watching developments very closely, as we have been doing since 2021.
The burglary at Thamm’s home in 2021 took place after News24 journalist Jeff Wicks had received numerous reports from police sources that he was under surveillance by Crime Intelligence. Wicks and Thamm had reported extensively on the fallout in the upper echelons of Crime Intelligence.
Madlanga Commission Evidence Leader, Advocate Hassim, made a compelling argument demonstrating how the use of State resources and Crime Intelligence against journalists poses a danger to Journalism. She then highlighted the correct procedures to follow.
SANEF strongly deplores any surveillance of journalists and any attempts to interfere with their reporting on people in positions of power.
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 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 by fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, conducting research, and providing education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
For more information, please contact:
Katy Katopodis – Chairperson (082) 805-7022
Slindile Khanyile – Deputy Chairperson (083) 471-0367
Glenda Daniels – Secretary-General (083) 229-9708
Sbu Ngalwa – Treasurer-General (073) 404-1415
Nicki Gules – Media Freedom Chair (082) 6034101
Judy Sandison – Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 571-3334
Dianne Hawker – Gauteng Convenor (072) 016-5984
Judy Sandison – KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
Jude Mathurine – Eastern Cape Convenor (083) 799-1701
Sisanda Nkoala – Western Cape Convenor (073) 138-5564
Reggy Moalusi – Executive Director (071) 682-3695
Twitter: @SAEditorsForum
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.SANEF.org.za
