Close Menu
TechCentralTechCentral

    Subscribe to the newsletter

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
    TechCentralTechCentral
    • News

      South Africa loosens media ownership rules – but keeps one hand on the remote

      16 July 2025

      Eskom targets 32GW green energy shift by 2040

      16 July 2025

      MTN Group appoints new chief enterprise officer

      16 July 2025

      Kruger Park’s white rhinos get a hi-tech lifeline

      16 July 2025

      The real cost of a cashless economy

      16 July 2025
    • World

      Grok 4 arrives with bold claims and fresh controversy

      10 July 2025

      Samsung’s bet on folding phones faces major test

      10 July 2025

      Bitcoin pushes higher into record territory

      10 July 2025

      OpenAI to launch web browser in direct challenge to Google Chrome

      10 July 2025

      Cupertino vs Brussels: Apple challenges Big Tech crackdown

      7 July 2025
    • In-depth

      The 1940s visionary who imagined the Information Age

      14 July 2025

      MultiChoice is working on a wholesale overhaul of DStv

      10 July 2025

      Siemens is battling Big Tech for AI supremacy in factories

      24 June 2025

      The algorithm will sing now: why musicians should be worried about AI

      20 June 2025

      Meta bets $72-billion on AI – and investors love it

      17 June 2025
    • TCS

      TCS+ | Samsung unveils significant new safety feature for Galaxy A-series phones

      16 July 2025

      TCS+ | MVNX on the opportunities in South Africa’s booming MVNO market

      11 July 2025

      TCS | Connecting Saffas – Renier Lombard on The Lekker Network

      7 July 2025

      TechCentral Nexus S0E4: Takealot’s big Post Office jobs plan

      4 July 2025

      TCS | Tech, townships and tenacity: Spar’s plan to win with Spar2U

      3 July 2025
    • Opinion

      A smarter approach to digital transformation in ICT distribution

      15 July 2025

      In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

      30 June 2025

      E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

      30 June 2025

      South Africa pioneered drone laws a decade ago – now it must catch up

      17 June 2025

      AI and the future of ICT distribution

      16 June 2025
    • Company Hubs
      • Africa Data Centres
      • AfriGIS
      • Altron Digital Business
      • Altron Document Solutions
      • Altron Group
      • Arctic Wolf
      • AvertITD
      • Braintree
      • CallMiner
      • CambriLearn
      • CYBER1 Solutions
      • Digicloud Africa
      • Digimune
      • Domains.co.za
      • ESET
      • Euphoria Telecom
      • Incredible Business
      • iONLINE
      • Iris Network Systems
      • LSD Open
      • NEC XON
      • Network Platforms
      • Next DLP
      • Ovations
      • Paracon
      • Paratus
      • Q-KON
      • SevenC
      • SkyWire
      • Solid8 Technologies
      • Telit Cinterion
      • Tenable
      • Vertiv
      • Videri Digital
      • Wipro
      • Workday
    • Sections
      • AI and machine learning
      • Banking
      • Broadcasting and Media
      • Cloud services
      • Contact centres and CX
      • Cryptocurrencies
      • Education and skills
      • Electronics and hardware
      • Energy and sustainability
      • Enterprise software
      • Fintech
      • Information security
      • Internet and connectivity
      • Internet of Things
      • Investment
      • IT services
      • Lifestyle
      • Motoring
      • Public sector
      • Retail and e-commerce
      • Science
      • SMEs and start-ups
      • Social media
      • Talent and leadership
      • Telecoms
    • Events
    • Advertise
    TechCentralTechCentral
    Home » News » Survé takes on Times Media

    Survé takes on Times Media

    By Editor5 December 2013
    Twitter LinkedIn Facebook WhatsApp Email Telegram Copy Link
    News Alerts
    WhatsApp

    newspapers-640

    Independent Newspapers boss Iqbal Survé on Thursday accused rival Times Media Group of a “dirty tricks” campaign to rob his group of revenue and readers, after laying criminal charges against one of its editors and a reporter.

    Sekunjalo Investments, which Survé chairs, brought the charges against Sunday Times editor Phylicia Oppelt and reporter Bobby Jordan.

    The newspaper quoted on Sunday from the public protector’s preliminary findings on Sekunjalo Marine Services Consortium (SMSC) securing a contract worth R800m to run the country’s fisheries patrol fleet.

    In an editorial, Survé said it was hypocritical for a newspaper to break the law — in this case the Public Protector Act, which states that draft reports are confidential — while expecting politicians to uphold it.

    “It appears as if the media are keen for politicians to obey the law, but even keener to define themselves as above it.”

    He accused Times Media Group of having tried in vain to wrest control of Independent Newspapers and trying to portray him as a “crooked businessman” and ANC lackey who wanted to counter negative reporting on the ruling party.

    “I now have it on impeccable authority that the executives of TMG have crafted and funded an orchestrated campaign against me, whose ultimate aim is to undermine public and advertising confidence,” he said.

    Survé said Oppelt and Jordan “have availed themselves as the chief hatchet men in the group executives’ personalised campaign against me”.

    He said Sunday Times columnist Chris Barron and Business Day editor Peter Bruce, “a man who holds the unique position of being South Africa’s only editor/publisher (so much for editorial integrity) are the standout character assassins”.

    Survé went on to say it was ironic that he was seen as being too close to president Jacob Zuma by a media group “whose titles increasingly read like a manifesto for the Democratic Alliance”.

    “The Times Media Group’s recent history of collaboration with the official opposition is just too rich and undeniable to be ignored.”

    Times Media Group declined to comment. Oppelt and Bruce could not be reached for comment.

    The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) urged Survé to withdraw the charges against Oppelt and Jordan. Sanef said any such attempt to criminalise reporting would undermine the fight to maintain a free press in South Africa, in the face of legislation like the Protection of State Information Bill, and send the wrong message to staff at Independent Newspapers’ titles.

    “Criminalising leaks must never be tolerated in an open, democratic society, especially when whistle-blowing is the only or alternative way of exposing maladministration and corruption.”

    In its latest edition, the Sunday Times reported that Madonsela had found collusion by the Sekunjalo consortium.

    But in her final report released on Thursday, she referred a decision on whether this was the case to the Competition Commission while finding that the contract created a conflict of interest.

    The contract was cancelled because it was irregular in terms of the procurement rules of the department of agriculture, forestry & fisheries (DAFF).

    “I was unable to find improper conduct or maladministration on DAFF’s role with regard to collusive tendering and have decided to refer the decision on whether SMSC’s conduct constituted collusive tendering to the Competition Commission,” Madonsela said.  — Sapa



    Independent Newspapers Iqbal Survé Peter Bruce Phylicia Oppelt Sekunjalo Times Media Group TMG
    Subscribe to TechCentral Subscribe to TechCentral
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Email Copy Link
    Previous ArticleEskom CEO Brian Dames quits
    Next Article Gigaba regrets Eskom CEO resignation

    Related Posts

    Ayo in hot water: JSE says investors were kept in the dark

    5 June 2025

    Iqbal Survé’s Sekunjalo moves to delist controversial Ayo Technology

    23 May 2025

    Ayo suspended from trading by the JSE

    26 February 2025
    Company News

    Ransomware in South Africa: the human factor behind the growing crisis

    16 July 2025

    Mental wellness at scale: how Mac fuels October Health’s mission

    15 July 2025

    Banking on LEO: Q-KON transforms financial services connectivity

    14 July 2025
    Opinion

    A smarter approach to digital transformation in ICT distribution

    15 July 2025

    In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

    30 June 2025

    E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

    30 June 2025

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    © 2009 - 2025 NewsCentral Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.