‘Stop surveilling journalists,’ Sanef tells police

The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has accused members of the Crime Intelligence division of the South African Police Service of surveilling investigative journalists.

All this comes after News24 had reported on the alleged surveillance of its investigative journalist Jeff Wicks, who had been looking into dubious activity by police, following the death of top Cape Town cop Charl Kinnear.

Wicks isn’t the only journalist alleged to be on the SAPS’ radar as Daily Maverick journalist Marianne Thamm was the victim of a house break-in, in which only her work laptops were stolen.

“Thamm reported on documents that were submitted in court papers by former Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Peter Jacobs. The fact that the SAPS has confirmed a formal investigation into leakages to journalists is underway creating the unavoidable suspicion that Thamm’s break-in is linked to the investigation into her sources,” Sanef said in a short statement.

“Thamm is in possession of internal communication from the SAPS confirming that her reporting on court papers by Jacobs is deemed as a “leak” to the media. When she challenged SAPS spokesperson Vish Naidoo about this, he responded as such: ‘The fact that this latest document was leaked to yourself reinforces the need to investigate these leaks, but this time with even greater urgency’”

Sanef

Sanef considers Naidoo’s response as a threat to Thamm and other journalists that they will be investigated.

Sanef to write to Ramaphosa, Cele over bugging of journalists

It is understood that the head of Crime Intelligence Yolisa Mokgabudi will be looking into the legality of the surveillance of the News24 journalist. Sanef has said it hopes Mokgabudi’s probe also look into the extent to which whistle-blowers and the media’s sources have been compromised by the bugging of journalists.

The editors’ forum also intends writing to President Cyril Ramaphosa and Police Minister Bheki Cele, to ask that they ensure the matter is addressed and those found to be guilty are brought to book. Sanef has called on Cele to instil order within Crime Intelligence.

“Journalists must continue to hold the country’s law enforcement to account if leaders are acting outside the law. By covering the battle at the top and probe the state of the SAPS, journalists are contributing towards bringing stability in the lives of ordinary SAPS members so that they can focus on fighting crime, instead of suffering at the hands of intransigent and corrupt leaders,” Sanef further said.