SANEF Is Disturbed by the Behaviour of Retired Constitutional Court Judge Zak Yacoob

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The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) notes today’s developments that Cricket South Africa (CSA) interim board chair retired Constitutional Court Judge Zak Yacoob has been replaced, however we are disturbed by his behaviour and the abuse he meted towards a Sunday Times Journalist Tiisetso Malepa, who was merely doing his job.

Malepa was following a story in which the suspended CSA acting CEO Kugandrie Govender alleges she was verbally harassed by justice Yacoob. Govender had written two letters of grievance on December 2 and 3 last year to the CSA members’ council, claiming she was treated unfairly by Yacoob, who is a retired judge of the Constitutional Court.

Instead of answering the reporter’s questions in relation to Yacoob resorted to bullying and insults. He called the journalist “rogue and dirty” and accused him of dishonesty as well as asking questions in an “idiotic fashion”.

SANEF believe that his behaviour was unacceptable and disappointing for someone of Justice Yacoob’s standing who must always act with moral authority, integrity, and propriety.

SANEF therefore call on the Judge to unreservedly apologise to the journalist and the Sunday Times for his verbal attack. It is expected of all people holding senior public office to be courteous and professional.

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:

  • Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
  • Adriaan Basson – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 562-2113
  • Mahlatse Mahlase – Secretary General (083) 399-2852
  • Nwabisa Makunga – Treasurer (082) 555-1972
  • Mary Papayya – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (082) 379-4957
  • Chiara Carter – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (082) 659-9162
  • Katy Katopodis – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (082) 805-7022
  • Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
  • Asanda Ngoasheng – Western Cape Convenor – 082 610 9374
  • Kate Skinner – SANEF Executive Director – (082) 926-6404

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Website: SANEF