SAPS Urges Journalists and Media Houses Not to Publish Leaked Affidavits in Ongoing Drug Related Investigation

By Brigadier Athlenda Mathe
SAPS Spokesperson

SAPS urges journalists and media houses not to publish leaked affidavits in ongoing drug related investigations : Witnesses and their families lives are now at risk

The South African Police Service (SAPS) Gauteng Counter Intelligence Operation has noted with serious concern the circulation and publication of leaked affidavits linked to ongoing investigations into drug related criminal networks in the country.

Today, the SAPS noted such publication in the front page of “The Sunday Times” newspaper where certain Djs information and pictures were published.

While the SAPS recognises and respects the vital role played by the media in promoting accountability and uncovering the truth, we urge all media houses(especially the Sunday Times), journalists, social media content creators to exercise responsibility and restraint in handling such sensitive information.

The publication or dissemination of leaked affidavits especially those containing details of witnesses, informants, and evidence
poses a direct and dangerous risk to the safety and lives of individuals who have come forward to assist police investigations.

Its not only the Witnesses lives at risk but their families too.

These individuals who are witnesses in senstive and high profile cases often do so under conditions of trust to the police.

Furthermore, the premature release of such information has the potential to compromise ongoing investigations and alert criminals on police ongoing investigations.

We would like to emphasize that the protection of witnesses and their families is of critical importance to the work of the police.

We therefore urge members of the media, especially “The Sunday Times” to act in the interest of the lives and the families of witnesses and avoid publishing leaked affidavits and their personal information.

We also make a call to some lawyers, attorneys and advocates working on these high profile cases not to leak information to the media and use that information solely to prepare for trial ready cases.

We also make an appeal to social media users to also refrain from making unnecessary speculations and naming witnesses on cases, as witnesses lives are at risk.