By Lebone Rodah Mosima
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has rejected allegations that it ignored complaints involving former chairperson Makhudu Sefara and the Sunday World’s receipt of what has been described as a disproportionate share of National Lotteries Commission (NLC) advertising.
Sefara, editor of the Sunday Times and former Sunday World editor, was placed on special leave by Arena Holdings following a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report alleging that he received lottery funds that were not used for their intended purpose.
He has denied any wrongdoing and has since stepped down as SANEF chairperson.
SANEF said claims by GroundUp director Nathan Geffen that the organisation failed to act on the matter were “neither true nor accurate” and amounted to a misrepresentation of the facts.
“These are a deliberate distortion intended to harm SANEF’s reputation,” the forum said.
“Geffen was aware of and participated in meetings where the issue was dealt with, including discussions on the final report and its recommendations. The matter was thoroughly debated at Council level.”
The dispute stems from a series of GroundUp investigations. In November 2019, the publication asked: “Does Sunday World want to do journalism or be a defender of corruption?” at a time when Sefara was editor.
In August 2023, GroundUp published another article, “Exposed: The Sunday World‘s lucrative partnership with the Lottery,” alleging that the publication received a disproportionate share of NLC advertising revenue during Sefara’s tenure.
Following those reports, Geffen raised concerns with SANEF.
Veteran journalist Anton Harber also wrote to the forum calling for an inquiry, arguing it should be chaired externally due to potential conflicts of interest linked to Sefara’s role within SANEF’s management committee at the time.
In his letter, Harber said: “It is unlikely that SANEF, with the close friendships inside the organisation, would be able to conduct an internal inquiry with sufficient credibility.”
On Thursday, however, SANEF reiterated that it “strongly refutes” suggestions that it ignored the allegations.
“Sefara stepped down from his role as SANEF chairperson this week following an SIU statement alleging that he received Lottery money that was not used for its intended purposes,” the forum said.
“He has denied any wrongdoing. At the centre of this matter is a complex and, at times, deeply contested dispute between Sunday World and GroundUp, stemming from an article published in August 2023.”
SANEF said the issue had triggered robust internal debate and was handled through established processes, including the appointment of an independent panel in June 2024 to assess the matter and advise on future steps.
The panel was led by journalism academic Professor Guy Berger, assisted by SANEF founder member Sibusiso Mngadi.
“Professor Berger’s standing in global journalism and media ethics is beyond reproach,” SANEF said. “Neither he nor Mngadi had any vested interest in the outcome.”
The forum dismissed allegations of inaction, saying Geffen’s claims were “not accurate” and misrepresented the organisation’s processes.
“Geffen was aware of and participated in meetings where the issue was dealt with, including those considering the final report and its recommendations,” SANEF said.
It added that the matter had been thoroughly debated at a Council meeting attended by 25 members, including a session held in Cape Town in February 2024.
SANEF said it had originally been asked to examine how Sunday World received a significant share of NLC advertising in 2023 and whether this influenced editorial content.
The forum noted that around the same period, the SIU made its findings regarding Sefara.
It said it has since instructed a legal team to review the latest allegations.
“We call on media houses and colleagues not to pursue sensationalism, but to report fairly and accurately, in the interests of journalism,” SANEF said.
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