{{Short description|South African news and information website}} {{Infobox newspaper | name = Independent Online | logo = | image = IOL website screenshot.png | image_upright = | caption = A screenshot . | type = News | format = Online newspaper | owner = Sekunjalo Investments<br>Public Investment Corporation<br>China International Television Corporation<br>China Africa Development Fund | chief_editor = | founded = | language = English | headquarters = Cape Town, South Africa | sister_newspapers = | website = {{Official URL}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{{Use South African English|date=August 2014}}'''''Independent Online''''', popularly known as '''''IOL''''', is a news website based in South Africa that serves the online versions of a number of South African newspapers, including ''The Star'', ''Cape Times'', ''Cape Argus'', ''Weekend Argus'', ''The Mercury'', ''Sunday Tribune'', ''The Independent on Saturday'', and ''The Sunday Independent''.<ref>{{cite web |title=South of the Sahara |url=http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/southafrica/rsanews.html |access-date=23 February 2009 |publisher=Stanford University |archive-date=12 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212085831/http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/southafrica/rsanews.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{Update inline|date=July 2022}} IOL regularly distributes Chinese state media content.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pike |first=Lili |date=May 18, 2022 |title=How China uses global media to spread its views — and misinformation |url=https://www.grid.news/story/global/2022/05/18/how-china-uses-global-media-to-spread-its-views-and-misinformation/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623014538/https://www.grid.news/story/global/2022/05/18/how-china-uses-global-media-to-spread-its-views-and-misinformation/ |archive-date=23 June 2022 |access-date=May 29, 2022 |work=Grid News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 28, 2022 |title=Coercion, Capture, and Censorship: Case Studies on the CCP's Quest for Global Influence |url=https://www.iri.org/resources/coercion-capture-and-censorship-case-studies-on-the-ccps-quest-for-global-influence/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929013634/https://www.iri.org/resources/coercion-capture-and-censorship-case-studies-on-the-ccps-quest-for-global-influence/ |archive-date=29 September 2022 |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=International Republican Institute |language=en-US}}</ref>
IOL has been involved in various controversies, including making up fake stories, fictitious journalists and doxing.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":0" /> IOL is controlled by majority shareholder, Sekunjalo Investments and its chairman Iqbal Survé.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Hogg |first=Alec |date=2019-04-15 |title=Iqbal Survé, specialist in media capture AND state capture |url=https://www.biznews.com/undictated/2019/04/15/media-capture-iqbal-surve |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=BizNews.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717165634/https://www.biznews.com/undictated/2019/04/15/media-capture-iqbal-surve |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Corporate affairs ==
=== Ownership === Sekunjalo Investments initially owned 55% of the company via its subsidiary Sekunjalo Independent Media, the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) owned 25%, and two Chinese state-owned enterprises (China International Television Corporation and the China Africa Development Fund) owned the remaining 20% of the newspaper.<ref name="MGwr">{{cite web|author=Sam Sole and Craig McKune|date=28 August 2014|title=What's black and white and in the red all over?|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2014-08-28-whats-black-and-white-and-in-the-red-all-over|access-date=8 September 2014|work=Mail & Guardian|archive-date=4 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004025908/https://mg.co.za/article/2014-08-28-whats-black-and-white-and-in-the-red-all-over|url-status=live}}</ref> China International Television Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV).<ref>{{Cite web |title=CITVC Signs Partnership Deal With NATPE |url=https://www.natpe.com/citvc-signs-partnership-deal-with-natpe/ |access-date=2022-07-09 |website=National Association of Television Program Executives |archive-date=6 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506230146/https://www.natpe.com/citvc-signs-partnership-deal-with-natpe/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Before 2013, IOL was owned by Tony O'Reilly's Independent News & Media.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
At some point,{{When|date=January 2024}} IOL was sold off from Sekunjalo Independent Media while the print publications entity Independent Newspapers remained under the ownership of Sekunjalo Independent Media.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rensburg |first=Dewald van |date=2021-01-28 |title=PIC looks on while 'Survé Inc' burns through state pensioners' billions |url=https://amabhungane.org/stories/210128-pic-looks-on-while-surve-inc-burns-through-state-pensioners-billions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326123758/https://amabhungane.org/stories/210128-pic-looks-on-while-surve-inc-burns-through-state-pensioners-billions/ |archive-date=26 March 2023 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=AmaBhungane |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Rensburg |first=Dewald van |date=2019-11-14 |title=PIC wants to "investigate" Sekunjalo directors after liquidation |url=https://amabhungane.org/stories/pic-wants-to-investigate-sekunjalo-directors-after-liquidation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006071445/https://amabhungane.org/stories/pic-wants-to-investigate-sekunjalo-directors-after-liquidation/ |archive-date=6 October 2023 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=amaBhungane |language=en-ZA}}</ref>
The change in ownership structure came at a time when the South African Clothing and Textile Workers Union (SACTWU) had sued Sekunjalo Independent Media in the Western Cape High Court for failing to repay a loan of ZAR 150 million plus interest in aid of funding the purchase of the company from Tony O'Reilly.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cronje |first=Jan |title=Union in court to get R300m back from Iqbal Survé-linked Sekunjalo Independent Media |url=https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/union-in-court-to-get-r300m-back-from-iqbal-surve-linked-sekunjalo-independent-media-20230828 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108201218/https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/union-in-court-to-get-r300m-back-from-iqbal-surve-linked-sekunjalo-independent-media-20230828 |archive-date=8 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref> The PIC had also filed an application asking the court to liquidate Sekunjalo Independent Media.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahlaka |first=Ray |date=2021-05-12 |title=PIC pushes Iqbal Survé into a corner as more of his entities, including Independent Media, are dragged to court |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-05-12-pic-pushes-iqbal-surve-into-a-corner-as-more-of-his-entities-including-independent-media-are-dragged-to-court/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108204539/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-05-12-pic-pushes-iqbal-surve-into-a-corner-as-more-of-his-entities-including-independent-media-are-dragged-to-court/ |archive-date=8 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cronje |first=Jan |title=State asset manager applies to liquidate Sekunjalo Independent Media |url=https://www.news24.com/fin24/just-in-state-asset-manager-applies-to-liquidate-sekunjalo-independent-media-20191112 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108201119/https://www.news24.com/Fin24/just-in-state-asset-manager-applies-to-liquidate-sekunjalo-independent-media-20191112 |archive-date=8 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref> On 26 March 2026, South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal ordered Sekunjalo Independent Media to repay SACTWU the loan plus accumulated interest, totalling R458 million.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moodley |first=Neesa |date=2026-03-26 |title=Supreme Court of Appeal torpedoes Sekunjalo defence as R458.6m debt storm still swirls |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-26-supreme-court-of-appeal-torpedoes-sekunjalo-defence-as-r4586m-debt-storm-swirls/ |access-date=2026-03-27 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}</ref>
=== Management === Viasen Soobramoney took over as CEO of Independent Online from Vasantha Angamuthu in May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-10 |title=Viasen Soobramoney appointed as CEO at IOL |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/viasen-soobramoney-appointed-as-ceo-at-iol-99243a1c-4db2-4217-aa4c-80c9e603256d |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=IOL |archive-date=24 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524154441/https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/viasen-soobramoney-appointed-as-ceo-at-iol-99243a1c-4db2-4217-aa4c-80c9e603256d |url-status=live }}</ref> Angamuthu unexpectedly resigned from both her positions as CEO of Independent Online and as CEO African News Agency, sister companies within Survé's media empire.
In 2023, Independent Media issued retrenchment notices to its staff for the fifth time since Sekunjalo's purchase of the news organisation. IOL staff were initially not affected but later added to the list of business units facing job cuts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nevill |first=Glenda |date=2019-09-18 |title=Jobs on the line at ANA and Independent Media |url=https://themediaonline.co.za/2019/09/jobs-on-the-line-at-ana-and-independent-media/ |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=The Media Online |language=en-US |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702014616/https://themediaonline.co.za/2019/09/jobs-on-the-line-at-ana-and-independent-media/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cronje |first=Jan |title=Independent Newspapers set to cut at least 40% of its staff |url=https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/independent-newspapers-set-to-cut-at-least-40-of-its-staff-20230719 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108213825/https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/independent-newspapers-set-to-cut-at-least-40-of-its-staff-20230719 |archive-date=8 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref> By October 2023, at least a third of staff were retrenched and the company failed to pay severance packages on time and instead issued grocery vouchers to the value of ZAR 2500 which initially were not loaded with any cash.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cronje |first=Jan |title=Independent Newspapers retrenches 128, delays payment of severance packages |url=https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/independent-newspapers-retrenches-128-delays-payment-of-severance-packages-20231108 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108213906/https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/independent-newspapers-retrenches-128-delays-payment-of-severance-packages-20231108 |archive-date=8 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Tim |date=2023-11-09 |title=In blow to PIC, Iqbal Survé's Independent Media retrenches a third of its staff |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-11-09-in-blow-to-pic-iqbal-surves-independent-retrenches-a-third-of-its-staff/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108213823/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-11-09-in-blow-to-pic-iqbal-surves-independent-retrenches-a-third-of-its-staff/ |archive-date=8 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}</ref>
At the end of 2023, Group CEO of Independent Media unexpectedly resigned after 16 months in the job prompting Survé to again take up an executive role in the company.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2024-01-10 |title=Independent Media appoints new executives |url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/the-mercury-south-africa/20240110/281582360470652 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110103754/https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/the-mercury-south-africa/20240110/281582360470652 |archive-date=10 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-10 |work=The Mercury}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Nick |title=Independent Media CEO steps down as Iqbal Survé returns as executive chair |url=https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/independent-media-ceo-steps-down-as-iqbal-surve-returns-as-executive-chair-20240110 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110122128/https://www.news24.com//fin24/companies/independent-media-ceo-steps-down-as-iqbal-surve-returns-as-executive-chair-20240110 |archive-date=10 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Controversies == === Chinese censorship === {{Further|Chinese censorship abroad}} In 2018, Reporters Without Borders reported that an IOL columnist was forced out after publishing a column condemning the persecution of Uyghurs in China.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 September 2018 |title=South Africa: Journalist loses column after publishing an article critical of China |work=Reporters Without Borders |url=https://rsf.org/en/south-africa-journalist-loses-column-after-publishing-article-critical-china |access-date=8 July 2022 |archive-date=8 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708175341/https://rsf.org/en/south-africa-journalist-loses-column-after-publishing-article-critical-china |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Joseph |first=Natasha |date=April 2021 |title=A new world order |journal=Index on Censorship |language=en |volume=50 |issue=1 |pages=70–71 |doi=10.1177/03064220211012307 |issn=0306-4220 |doi-access=|s2cid=233449064 }}</ref>
=== Information laundering === According to ''The Economist'', IOL "often engages in 'information laundering' designed to make sentiment appear homegrown, says Herman Wasserman at the University of Cape Town. For instance, it will run a Chinese news-agency story on the biolab conspiracy, then get a left-wing student leader to write an article expressing concern about the supposed biolabs. Chinese news agencies will use that to write about how South Africans are worried, thus manufacturing a 'story' out of nothing at all."<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 22, 2022 |title=How Russia is trying to win over the global south |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/international/2022/09/22/how-russia-is-trying-to-win-over-the-global-south |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-09-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924214041/https://www.economist.com/international/2022/09/22/how-russia-is-trying-to-win-over-the-global-south |archive-date=24 September 2022 |issn=0013-0613}}</ref>
=== Bank account closures === IOL and Independent Media's banking facilities were threatened in 2022 when Standard Bank issued a notice to cut all ties with any company within the Sekunjalo Group.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gous |first=Nico |date=July 19, 2022 |title=Standard Bank latest to cut ties with Sekunjalo Group |url=https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/companies/financial-services/2022-07-19-standard-bank-latest-to-cut-ties-with-sekunjalo-group/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=BusinessLIVE |language=en-ZA |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125180119/https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/companies/financial-services/2022-07-19-standard-bank-latest-to-cut-ties-with-sekunjalo-group/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This followed several other banks refusing to do business with the investment group, its subsidiaries and directors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cronje |first=Jan |date=19 Jul 2022 |title=Standard Bank also dropping Iqbal Survé's Sekunjalo group as a client |url=https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/standard-bank-is-now-also-dropping-iqbal-surves-sekunjalo-group-as-a-client-20220719 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802215726/https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/standard-bank-is-now-also-dropping-iqbal-surves-sekunjalo-group-as-a-client-20220719 |archive-date=2 August 2023 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Fake stories === In March 2020, IOL and the Durban-based ''Daily News'' published an article accusing a competitor news website, ''Daily Maverick'', of "orchestrating and financially sponsoring a fake news smear campaign against prominent politicians, businessmen and executives, including Independent Media executive chairman Iqbal Survé." ''Daily Maverick'' took the matter to the High Court of South Africa, which found that the article was defamatory and unlawful, and ordered that ''IOL'' and ''Daily News'' retract the story and apologise, and that the writer of the article, Modibe Modiba, pay R100 000 in damages to ''Daily Maverick''.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=26 February 2023 |title=Apology to Daily Maverick and Branko Brkic |url=https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/apology-to-daily-maverick-and-branko-brkic-38ba349a-df80-4281-a02b-30b89d7f7f9b |archive-date=7 August 2024 |access-date=19 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807095446/https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/apology-to-daily-maverick-and-branko-brkic-38ba349a-df80-4281-a02b-30b89d7f7f9b |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=IOL apology to Daily Maverick and its editor |url=https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/15/236264.html |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Bizcommunity |language=en |archive-date=14 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114115455/https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/15/236264.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Rebecca |date=2023-02-23 |title=Independent Online publicly apologises to Daily Maverick for false reporting |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-02-23-iol-publicly-apologises-to-daily-maverick-for-false-reporting/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en |archive-date=13 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413143735/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-02-23-iol-publicly-apologises-to-daily-maverick-for-false-reporting/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2021, ''IOL'' published a series of articles about a Tembisa woman having delivered decuplets (ten babies) which were penned by ''Pretoria News'' editor Piet Rampedi.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-06-23 |title=South African 10 babies story not true, inquiry finds |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57581054 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625123752/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-57581054 |archive-date=25 June 2021 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The babies were referred to as the Tembisa 10. The story was debunked as fake news as no evidence of the births was available and multiple requests for donations were made both in print and online Independent Media platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charles |first=Marvin |date=31 Dec 2022 |title=Tembisa 10: Public Protector finds claims mom gave birth to decuplets 'unsubstantiated' |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/tembisa-10-public-protector-finds-claims-mom-gave-birth-to-decuplets-unsubstantiated-20221231 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110234405/https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/tembisa-10-public-protector-finds-claims-mom-gave-birth-to-decuplets-unsubstantiated-20221231 |archive-date=10 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last1=Monama |first1=Tebogo |last2=Charles |first2=Marvin |date=28 Oct 2021 |title=FACT CHECK {{!}} What really happened to the Tembisa 10? Why Independent Media's claims just don't hold up |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/fact-check-what-really-happened-to-the-tembisa-10-why-independent-medias-claims-just-dont-hold-up-20211028 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110234403/https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/fact-check-what-really-happened-to-the-tembisa-10-why-independent-medias-claims-just-dont-hold-up-20211028 |archive-date=10 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref> Rampedi, Survé, ''IOL'' and Independent Media newspapers all went on to claim that the babies were trafficked but they provided no evidence to support their claims. Rampedi eventually resigned in January 2023 following a report by the Public Protector which found that the story was a lie.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 Jan 2023 |title=Piet Rampedi, driving force behind 'Tembisa 10' decuplets story, resigns as Pretoria News editor |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/piet-rampedi-driving-force-behind-tembisa-decuplets-story-resigns-as-pretoria-news-editor-20230131 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730133830/https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/piet-rampedi-driving-force-behind-tembisa-decuplets-story-resigns-as-pretoria-news-editor-20230131 |archive-date=30 July 2023 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref> Neither Rampedi nor the company or any of its publications apologised for the story, however, the 125-year-old ''Pretoria News'' ceased to be published a few months later.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cronje |first=Jan |date=6 Jul 2023 |title=The Star publisher Independent Newspapers mulls job cuts as revenues keep falling |url=https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/the-star-publisher-independent-newspapers-mulls-job-cuts-as-revenues-keep-falling-20230706 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110234404/https://www.news24.com/fin24/companies/the-star-publisher-independent-newspapers-mulls-job-cuts-as-revenues-keep-falling-20230706 |archive-date=10 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=News24 |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Fictitious journalists== In 2022, IOL was accused of making up a fake journalist called Jamie Roz to spread fake news and disinformation in support of its chairman and controversial businessman Iqbal Survé.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Haffajee |first=Ferial |date=2022-09-06 |title=From making up decuplets to making up a writer, Independent Media's Iqbal Survé plumbs new depths |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-06-fake-news-fake-publication-next-level-iqbal-surves-iol-makes-up-a-journalist-to-further-attack-truth/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131150820/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-09-06-fake-news-fake-publication-next-level-iqbal-surves-iol-makes-up-a-journalist-to-further-attack-truth/ |archive-date=31 January 2023 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023, veteran journalist Chris Roper found that a series of anonymous articles on IOL were likely written by Survé's spin doctor Feroza Petersen, who together with ''The Sunday Independent'' editor Sizwe Dlamini had penned many articles in support of Survé.<ref name=":0" /> News24 suggested that "Jamie Roz" could be Petersen, whose maiden name is (Fe)roz(a) Jamie, and also found that "Edmond Phiri", a byline used by IOL in articles supportive of Survé, is another undeclared fake persona.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Nick |last2=Cronje |first2=Jan |last3=Wicks |first3=Jeff |title=Inside Iqbal Survé's glitchy propaganda machine: Goebbels, AI and slippery writers |url=https://specialprojects.news24.com/Inside-Iqbal-Surves-glitchy-propaganda-machine/index.html |access-date=21 May 2024 |website=News24 |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521065558/https://specialprojects.news24.com/Inside-Iqbal-Surves-glitchy-propaganda-machine/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
IOL was dubbed the "Book of Iqbal" in a satirical piece published in ''City Press'', after a series of articles praising Iqbal Survé's role at the World Economic Forum featured on the news website, written by an unknown and unidentifiable writer, Lerato Molefe.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Siyahleba {{!}} The book of Iqbal {{!}} Two bulls {{!}} And the joke is on us |url=https://www.news24.com/citypress/voices/siyahleba-the-book-of-iqbal-two-bulls-and-the-joke-is-on-us-20250126 |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=City Press |language=en-US |archive-date=16 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250216145022/https://www.news24.com/citypress/voices/siyahleba-the-book-of-iqbal-two-bulls-and-the-joke-is-on-us-20250126 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Doxing==
On 15 July 2024, Independent Media and IOL held a press conference in Cape Town, titled "The Unmasking Project", where they claimed to reveal the identity of an anonymous X user known only as Goolam (@goolammv).<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Goba |first=Thabiso |title=Lecturer denies running @Goolammv X account, says he fears for his life |url=https://www.ewn.co.za/2024/07/15/lecturer-denies-running-goolammv-x-account-says-he-fears-for-his-life |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=EWN |language=en |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717131012/https://www.ewn.co.za/2024/07/15/lecturer-denies-running-goolammv-x-account-says-he-fears-for-his-life |url-status=live }}</ref> Independent Media's KwaZulu-Natal regional editor, Mazwi Xaba, claimed that the person linked to the account was Mohammed Vawda, a population statistics lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and part-time comedian. Other speakers at the press conference included Adri Senekal de Wet, Independent Media's editor-in-chief, Sifiso Mahlangu, editor of The Star, Siyavuya Mzantsi, editor of Cape Times, Melanie Peters, managing editor, Taariq Halim, Independent Media's Western Cape regional editor responsible for the Cape Argus and Daily Voice tabloid publications, and Lance Witten, editor-in-chief of IOL. Former cabinet minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, also shared her views on the anonymous X account, claiming that it was responsible for her failure to be elected ANC president at the party's conference in 2017.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Thamm |first=Marianne |date=2024-07-16 |title=Survé and Sisulu's 'unmasking' event goes down like a lead balloon |url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-16-exposed-iqbal-surve-and-lindiwe-sisulus-unmasking-event-goes-down-like-a-lead-balloon/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Daily Maverick |language=en |archive-date=16 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716215931/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-07-16-exposed-iqbal-surve-and-lindiwe-sisulus-unmasking-event-goes-down-like-a-lead-balloon/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Heever |first=Megan van den |date=2024-07-15 |title=Durban comedian claps back: 'I'm not Goolam' [video] |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/who-is-goolam-twitter-x-identity-iqbal-surve-mohammed-vawda-latest-watch/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=The South African |language=en-ZA |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717131007/https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/who-is-goolam-twitter-x-identity-iqbal-surve-mohammed-vawda-latest-watch/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Independent Media and IOL were accused of doxing, and Vawda denied being the person behind the anonymous account. Vawda said that he had received death threats as a result, and that he and his family had gone into hiding for their own safety. Vawda conceded that his job at the university was also put in jeopardy due to the university being questioned about its association to a 'racist' account.<ref name=":2" /> On 19 July 2024, Vawda's lawyers filed summons in the High Court, seeking R1.2 million in damages as a result of the harm caused to Vawda. According to court papers, a contract killing was arranged on 15 July 2024 offering a reward of R250 000 for Vawda's life.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sibiya |first=Noxolo |title=Independent Media sued for R1.2m by lecturer following X account slip-up |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/independent-media-sued-for-r12m-by-lecturer-following-x-account-slip-up-20240719 |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=News24 |language=en-US |archive-date=20 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240720012313/https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/independent-media-sued-for-r12m-by-lecturer-following-x-account-slip-up-20240719 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Further reading== * {{cite book |last = Dasnois |first = Alide |year = 2019 |title = Paper Tiger: Iqbal Survé and the downfall of Independent Newspapers |location = Cape Town |publisher = Tafelberg |isbn = 978-0-62408-717-5 |url-access = registration |url=https://www.nb.co.za/en/view-book/?id=9780624087175 }}
== See also ==
* List of newspapers in South Africa
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:South African news websites Category:Daily newspapers published in South Africa Category:Online newspapers published in South Africa Category:Mass media in Cape Town