Sanef condemns doxxing of journalist by Ngobese-Zuma

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Opens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandFounder of March and March Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma. Picture: Freddy Mavunda/Business Day The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has called on March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma and her supporters to stop intimidating journalists covering stories about the organisation.

This comes after Ngobese-Zuma shared a screenshot on social media of a WhatsApp query from News24 journalist Khaya Koko about government contracts linked to her and her husband, Xolani Zuma.

In the post, Ngobese-Zuma published Koko’s message, which clearly displayed his personal phone number alongside the caption: “Look at this one trying to distract us with lies… @news24 Go ahead and write whatever you like… Just make sure you can prove it.”

After the post, Koko reportedly received more than 100 hostile and threatening phone calls and messages.

According to SANEF, one message read: “I’ll hunt you. And I will find you; I’ll make an example of you.” Another stated: “We would like you to provide proof of the alleged 12-million you claim Jacinta received!! You’re such an ass, and we know you’re bought to push your agenda and bring March and March down. You’re so stupid, and I hope you die.”

News24 has sent a legal letter to Ngobese-Zuma demanding action over her exposure of Koko’s number, which incited the harassment. Although Ngobese-Zuma subsequently edited the post to crop out his phone number, Sanef said the damage had already been done and called for a full investigation.

“Sanef regards exposing journalists’ private information, which enables harassment or threats, as an act of deliberate doxxing to chill a legitimate investigation,” the forum said in a statement.

Sanef strongly condemned these attempts to prevent journalists from carrying out their duties.

“In sending the request for comment, Koko was acting in accordance with journalistic principles and the Press Code, which compels journalists to afford subjects of critical reportage, like Ngobese-Zuma, a fair and timeous right of reply to allegations against them,” Sanef noted.

“This cannot be seized upon as an opportunity to intimidate a journalist, or to tacitly encourage others to threaten them. Democracies cannot function properly if journalists are not able to report freely, fairly, and safely, without intimidation.”

Sanef urged anyone who’s not happy with journalistic reporting to lodge formal complaints with the Press Council or the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA), rather than resorting to harassment.

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