The South African Editors Forum (Sanef) has hit back at Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, saying the regulations of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture criminalise journalism.
This, after Zondo, who chairs the Commission, called the publishing of witness testimonies prior to being heard before the Commission unlawful.
At the weekend, the testimony of former Bosasa boss, Angelo Agrizzi, implicating Environmental Affairs Minister, Nomvula Mokonyane, was published.
Chairperson of the Sanef, Mahlatse Mahlase, says the forum has requested to meet with the Commission on various occasions, but to no avail.
“We believe that the media serves a different purpose and we have been able to report on many other commissions with no problem. And we would like further engagement with the DCJ about how our reporting is being undermined. So, we would like to have a conversation to have an understanding of how our work would undermine such an important Commission of Inquiry.”
We would appreciate an opportunity to give further input on why we believe these sections should either be scrapped in their entirety or exempt journalists. SANEF supports Media Monitoring Africa in its efforts to challenge the rules, if necessary in court.
— SANEF (@SAEditorsForum) January 22, 2019
