The National Media Group (NMG) has strongly condemned Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie following his attack on Independent Online (IOL) during a TikTok broadcast on Black Wednesday, which marks National Press Freedom Day.
NMG chief executive officer Melanie Peters described the minister’s outburst as a crude assault on the Constitution and South Africa’s democratic values, calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene and hold McKenzie accountable.
In a statement, Peters said the minister’s comments raised serious concerns about press freedom, government transparency and the treatment of journalists in a constitutional democracy.
Attack follows IOL and NMG investigation
McKenzie’s outburst followed a joint investigation by IOL and NMG, published under the headline ‘Ministry of cadre deployment’: Leaked dossier exposes Gayton McKenzie’s PA network.
The investigation examined allegations of political, professional, business and family connections involving individuals linked to McKenzie and his Patriotic Alliance (PA), including appointments to municipal entities and national arts, culture and heritage institutions.
The leaked dossier raised questions about overlapping positions held by individuals connected to the party across several public bodies.
Among those named was Eugene Botha, a PA member who resigned as chairperson of the National Arts Council (NAC), along with four other council members, amid disagreements over the council’s appointment of a new chief executive and finance head.
Botha said he had been open about his political affiliations and maintained that he had applied for the position through a public process. McKenzie has previously defended appointments involving people he knows, saying that knowing someone does not necessarily constitute a conflict of interest.
In response to the investigation, Peters said public officials must understand that accountability is a fundamental part of journalism and that no minister should be exempt from legitimate scrutiny.
She compared McKenzie’s conduct to that of former apartheid-era president P.W. Botha, whom she accused of treating independent journalism as a threat.
Peters said threats against journalists by a serving member of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet were unacceptable in a constitutional democracy.
NMG raises concerns over restrictions on media
Peters also expressed concern about reports that McKenzie had barred media outlets from his political campaigns and sought to restrict official entities from engaging with journalists.
She said such actions undermined transparency and accountability and reflected hostility towards independent reporting.
The group argued that public officials should be prepared to answer questions about matters of public interest rather than attempt to restrict journalists’ access or discredit their reporting.
Peters invoked former president Nelson Mandela’s address to the International Press Institute Congress in Cape Town in February 1994, in which he described a critical, independent and investigative press as the lifeblood of democracy.
She said Mandela’s remarks remained relevant, particularly when journalists investigate allegations involving public institutions and those entrusted with public office.
Calls for Ramaphosa to intervene
NMG has called on Ramaphosa to publicly and unequivocally condemn McKenzie’s remarks and explain what action he intends to take against the minister.
Peters also urged the President to initiate an independent and thorough investigation into the allegations surrounding McKenzie.
She said the President had a constitutional responsibility to protect press freedom and ensure accountability among members of his Cabinet.
Section 16 of the Constitution protects freedom of expression, including freedom of the press and other media.
NMG further called for McKenzie to resign or be dismissed from Cabinet, arguing that his conduct threatened the principles of accountability and media independence.
The group said it intended to engage international media freedom organisations over what it described as attempts to intimidate journalists and restrict independent reporting.
NMG defends Iqbal Survé
Peters also criticised McKenzie’s attack on Dr Iqbal Survé, the former chairman of Sekunjalo, describing it as unwarranted.
She stressed that Survé had no involvement in the investigation or the editorial reporting concerning allegations against the minister.
Peters warned that attempts to discredit shareholders would not distract journalists from investigating matters of legitimate public interest.
NMG reiterated its commitment to investigative journalism and said it would continue examining allegations involving McKenzie and people associated with him.
These include allegations relating to drug cartels in townships, the alleged looting of municipal funds and claims that individuals close to the minister had been appointed to boards overseeing entities within the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
The group said such allegations required rigorous investigation and responsible reporting based on verifiable evidence.
McKenzie has previously denied allegations linking him to drug-related activities, describing them as politically motivated and saying he was suing over them.
In its reporting on the leaked dossier, IOL sought comment from McKenzie, who did not respond to questions sent to his cellphone via WhatsApp.
NMG maintained that investigative journalism was essential to holding public officials accountable and said it would not be deterred from pursuing stories in the public interest.
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