SANEF, IFJ condemn ‘veiled threat’ made by ‘newsmaker’ to journalist
International Federation of Journalists
Isaac Mahlangu, a Sunday Times senior reporter, was allegedly threatened by a Durban businessman a week ago in relation to the man’s eviction from a luxury penthouse. The IFJ condemns in the strongest terms this veiled threat, which seriously impedes media freedom, and it calls for an urgent investigation into this case.
According to media reports, Siqu Zungu threatened Mahlangu when Zugu was called for a comment for an article about him leaving a R12-million penthouse owned by a Johannesburg doctor, Blaine Bloy. Before being evicted, Zugu had lived there rent free for almost three years.
Zungu was quoted by the Sunday Times as saying, ‘I’m not joking. It’s not a threat, ask Bloy who I am (and) he will tell you. Put out that article, but tell your company to give you bodyguards’.
Read the original story in the newspaper, here
In a separate story, the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) condemned the actions of the businessman.
Read ‘Sanef condemns threats to journalists who work professionally and ethically’, here
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said that the threat issued to a journalist by Zungu is unacceptable in a democratic state and it must be addressed squarely: ‘Such a threat is a blatant attack on press freedom and the right to report freely.’
‘It can have a chilling effect in the country, forcing journalists into self-censorship and thus denying citizens their right to know and to receive information. We urge South African authorities to protect our colleague, Isaac Mahlangu, and to hold Siqu Zungu responsible for any reprisals or threats to Mahlangu.’
The IFJ calls on the competent authorities to immediately investigate this blatant case of intimidation.
- This article was first published here
This is taken from the article published in the Sunday Times on 20 May 2025:
Slindile Khanyile, chair of the SANEF Media Freedom Sub-Committee, said the organisation did not take threats to journalists lightly, especially in a country where the work that journalists do and media freedom is protected by the Constitution.
‘We condemn the actions of not only this particular newsmaker, but anyone who makes it difficult for journalists to conduct their work,’ she said.
She added that Zungu was contacted for comment, which is one of the most important principles of journalism – to give newsmakers the opportunity to tell their side of the story and a fair opportunity to respond to allegations before a story is published.
‘When journalists do that, which is something that is required by media ethics as well as the Press Code, and they then encounter newsmakers who make it difficult for them to do their work, it is unfortunate’
She said journalists should always do the right thing even when reporting on threatening and aggressive people.
