SANEF condemns the Ekurhuleni Mayor’s bid to gag News 24
3 March 2026
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) strongly condemns the actions of Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, the Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, who has approached the High Court in a bid to gag investigative reporting by News24 and silence journalist Sikonathi Mantshantsha.
According to reports, the mayor is seeking urgent legal relief to halt the publication of investigative reports into the murder of municipal chief auditor Mpho Mafole, and has gone as far as personally citing Mantshantsha in the application, an extraordinary and deeply troubling escalation. (News24)
SANEF views Xhakaza’s action as a direct attack on media freedom, investigative journalism, and the Constitutionally guaranteed right for the public to know. The attempt to interdict journalists on matters of public interest, particularly those linked to allegations of corruption and a high-profile murder case, undermines the very foundations of our constitutional democracy.
Of grave concern is the personal targeting of a journalist in litigation. This tactic bears the hallmarks of a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), where legal processes are weaponised to intimidate, exhaust, and silence journalists and media houses. The inclusion of an individual reporter in such proceedings is intended to send a message to all journalists who seek to hold power to account.
Slindile Khanyile, SANEF Media Freedom committee chairperson reiterates that courts must not be used as instruments of censorship.
“South Africa’s constitutional framework guarantees freedom of expression, including freedom of the press. Any effort to suppress legitimate journalistic inquiry, especially through urgent gagging orders, must be resisted,” Khanyile says.
SANEF stands in full solidarity with Mantshantsha and the team at News24. Their work represents the very essence of watchdog journalism: pursuing truth in the public interest, often in the face of intimidation and personal risk. SANEF believes that the independence of the press is not negotiable, and efforts to suppress reporting, especially on matters of public interest, corruption, and rule of law, must be resisted.
We further reaffirm our unwavering commitment to defending the rights of journalists and media institutions to report freely, without fear, favour, or prejudice.
SANEF calls on legislators and policymakers to accelerate reforms that decisively curb SLAPP suits in South Africa as well as public officials to respect the role of a free press in a democratic society.
We also call on the courts to remain vigilant against attempts to curtail media freedom through abusive litigation.
At a time when accountability is most needed, efforts to silence the press must be confronted firmly and collectively. The intimidation of journalists is an attack on democracy itself, and it will not succeed.
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:
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
Slindile 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
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
