SANEF condemns the harassment of Jacques Pauw
1 March 2018
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) notes with alarm an event that unfolded yesterday afternoon and evening that threatened media freedom.
Investigative journalist and author, Jacques Pauw, had his house raided by a terrorist-fighting ‘Crimes against the state’ unit of the Hawks.
Pauw is the author of the book ‘The President’s Keepers’, a book that uncovered explosive information about ex-President Jacob Zuma and allegation of state capture. The speculation at the moment is that rogue elements in the state security agencies are now fighting back to intimidate and harass journalists to try and close down these kinds of stories. However, SANEF believes these narratives are critical to the life blood of our democracy and to ultimately ensuring the end to the state capture project.
SANEF intends to meet with the new Minister of Police, Bheki Cele to outline its serious concerns.