SANEF Disapproves of Threats Made Against Journalist, Abram Mashego
08 August 2025
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has noted worrying developments involving attacks on journalists in recent days.
One such incident involved a faceless account on the social media platform X, using the handle Chris Excel, which sought to discredit City Press journalist Abram Mashego. This follows the leaking of a WhatsApp conversation, in which Mashego was trying to get Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to answer questions in relation to an article that was being written.
Mashego is an award-winning, credible journalist and has every right to ask Mkhwanazi questions. Mashego was adhering to the SA Press Code which requires journalists to request comment from the subject they are writing about.
SANEF holds the position that journalists will always ask questions, however hard they may be. There is no one above scrutiny, including Mkhwanazi.
Over the years, journalists have come across subjects who choose to smear them, rather than answer questions. If there are any ethical concerns regarding journalists’ conduct, there are established processes that should be followed to lay such complaints.
SANEF continues to note how some fake accounts are used across social media platforms to push certain narratives.
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, research, and 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
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
