The South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) has today (thursday) written to the acting National Commissioner of Police, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi requesting further information about allegations of corruption involving an un-named journalist at the Sunday Times made by Colonel Kobus Roelofse of the SAPS anti-corruption task team.

We are concerned by claims repeated in a document compiled by Colonel Roelofse that the journalist in question was paid to place in the newspaper a story which would potentially harm the reputation of senior police officers who are seen as opponents of crime intelligence chief Lt General Richard Mdluli.

These are extremely serious allegations. Unfortunately they have been made without any supporting evidence being provided. We have asked General Mkhwanazi to provide us with the relevant evidence and any further relevant background so that we can arrive at a view on this matter which is informed by hard facts.

We have also taken note of the Sunday Times' denial of any impropriety on the part of members of its investigative team. SANEF is committed to supporting the highest standards of journalistic ethics, and will approach this matter based on that commitment.

Statement issued by the SA National Editors' Forum (SANEF), May 17 2012

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