SANEF Cautions Against Blanket In-Camera Proceedings at the Madlanga Commission

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) expresses its deep concern and strong opposition to the blanket in-camera application proposed by the evidence leaders at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

SANEF notes and welcomes the decision by News24 and Daily Maverick to oppose the proposed order for in-camera proceedings. The application, if granted, would close the hearings to both the public and the media for a period of two weeks, a move that threatens the foundational principles of transparency, accountability, and open justice that underpin South Africa’s democracy.

While SANEF acknowledges the legitimate concerns surrounding national security, it stresses that such considerations should not override the public’s right to know. We firmly believe that issues of sensitivity can and should be managed through a careful, case-by-case approach rather than through a sweeping ban on public and media access. A blanket restriction risks eroding public trust and shielding potentially vital information from scrutiny.

The very subject matter before the Madlanga Commission including the opaque handling of criminal intelligence “slush funds” demands a high degree of openness. History has repeatedly shown that claims of “national security” have at times been misused to obscure wrongdoing, corruption, or institutional failure. Therefore, SANEF aligns itself with the position that in-camera hearings, if necessary, should be justified individually for each witness, based on clear and compelling evidence before the commission.

We urge Justice Madlanga and his fellow Commissioners to uphold the principle of maximal transparency, consistent with precedents set by other major inquiries such as the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.

SANEF further cautions that national security should never be invoked as a pretext to prevent independent journalistic scrutiny. We call on the Commission to ensure that journalists have meaningful opportunities to engage, including the ability to pose questions and seek clarification on days when high-level summaries are released. Such engagement is vital for ensuring public understanding and informed discourse.

At the same time, SANEF reaffirms its commitment to ethical journalism. We recognise that media freedom must always be accompanied by accountability. We therefore encourage members of the public and KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi,  who have credible evidence of journalistic misconduct to come forward. Upholding media integrity is essential to sustaining public confidence in our profession.

SANEF reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of unethical journalism and its ongoing commitment to fostering a media environment grounded in honesty, fairness, and transparency.

We call upon the Madlanga Commission to protect the public’s constitutional right to access information, while responsibly managing legitimate security concerns. Only through openness and accountability can South Africa continue to strengthen its democracy and safeguard the freedoms enshrined in its Constitution.

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:

Makhudu Sefara – Chairperson (079) 177-2134

Tshamano Makhadi – Deputy Chairperson (082) 223-0621

Glenda Daniels – Secretary-General (083) 229-9708

Sbu Ngalwa – Treasurer-General (073) 404-1415

Sli Khanyile – Media Freedom Chair (083) 471-0367

Katy Katopodis – Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022

Dianne Hawker – Gauteng Convenor (072) 016-5984

Judy Sandison – KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334

Rochelle De Kock – Eastern Cape Convenor (072) 969-8028

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