The South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) has joined South Africans in mourning the death of Minister of Public Service Collins Chabane on Sunday morning.
Sanef says in Chabane’s previous capacity as Minister in the Presidency responsible for GCIS and general communication, he was always responsive to issues and concerns of media.
The organisation noted the way Chabane diffused the controversy started by utterances by then GCIS CEO Jimmy Manyi, that he would only place government adverts in media that gives government positive coverage. Sanef says Chabane called Manyi to order and made it clear that Manyi was misrepresenting a cabinet decision on centralising control of government advertising.
He said then that government would not use its advertising budget to interfere with editorial control.
Sanef has described his death as a tragedy and hopes other ministers and government officials across all spheres of the state will
emulate his commitment to media freedom and editorial independence.
President Jacob Zuma has also sent his condolences to the family click below to watch the video
South Africans have also expressed their sadness over the death
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