Vusi Thembekwayo takes Sunday World to Press Council over ‘misleading' fraud story
Vusi Thembekwayo insists Sunday World's story demonstrates a fundamental departure from the tenets of responsible journalism, while the publication told IOL that it stands by its story.
Image: File Picture
Entrepreneur and author, Vusi Thembekwayo and his company, MyGrowthFund Venture Partners, have lodged a complaint with the Press Council of South Africa against newspaper publication, Sunday World and acting editor Ngwako Malatji seeking recourse over a story titled: "Fraud allegations rock Vusi Thembekwayo and his entity,' published last month.
Thembekwayo insists the news article around the ongoing legal dispute between Thembekwayo and his former business partner Justin Rovian Naidoo presents 'a misleading and incomplete narrative' which he seeks to correct.
On behalf of Thembekwayo and MyGrowthFund Venture Partners, spokesperson Vanessa Sangar argues that the Press Council complaint - seen by IOL - outlines multiple, serious breaches of the Press Code of Ethics and Conduct, stemming from the newspaper's decision to publish serious allegations based on court documents that, critically, had not been served on Thembekwayo or MyGrowthFund VP at the time of publication.
'This occurred despite the journalist being explicitly informed of this fact, rendering any meaningful response impossible before the story went live,' said Sangar. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
'Sunday World's actions demonstrate a fundamental departure from the tenets of responsible journalism. The complaint highlights a disturbing lack of fairness and balance, the disregard for the basic right of reply, and the publication of information without crucial context.
'This includes the fact that the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) had previously reviewed and dismissed some of the core issues raised in the article,' she said.
According to Sangar, the complaint raises grave concerns regarding how Sunday World obtained the court documents in question.
'Evidence suggests the documents were accessed via the official court online system before legal service, prompting a request for the Press Council to investigate the potentially unlawful and unethical methods used in gathering information for the story,' said Sangar.
She said the news article has unfortunately caused 'significant' unwarranted damage to the reputation and dignity of Thembekwayo and MyGrowthFund Venture Partners, amplified through the publication's social media channels.
'It represents a secondary victimisation, allowing the newspaper's platform to be instrumentalised in a commercial dispute in a manner contrary to journalistic ethics,' said Sangar.
For his part, Thembekwayo said he hoped that the Press Council would address the matter adequately.
"Integrity, fairness, and ethical conduct are not optional extras in journalism; they are foundational," said Thembekwayo, who is also an internationally acclaimed motivational speaker.
"Sunday World's handling of this story represents a serious lapse in judgment and a several material failures to adhere to the Press Code standards that underpin credible reporting. We trust the Press Council will address these breaches thoroughly. Accountability is essential.'
The complaint lodged seeks formal findings on the alleged multiple breaches from the Press Council, demanding a full retraction of the article's 'unbalanced' and inaccurate aspects, alongside a prominent public apology from Sunday World.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
27-05-2025
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs boss faces financial scandal
Kaizer Chiefs Football Club manager Bobby Motaung finds himself at the centre of a financial storm, with court papers filed to have his estate sequestered. According to a Sunday World report, Pent Up Investment CC has approached the Johannesburg High Court, claiming that Motaung owes the company more than R4.3 million linked to a property deal gone sour. Costas Couremetis, head of Pent Up Investment, alleges that Motaung has failed to settle the outstanding amount from a R9 million judgment issued back in November 2009. In a sworn affidavit, Couremetis detailed Motaung's failure to honour the full judgment amount. 'Pursuant to a failure by Lakeshore (Motaung was listed as the sole director of Lakeshore Trading) to make payment of the purchase price for the property in full, the applicant instituted proceedings… and obtained judgment on or about November 12, 2009 in a sum exceeding R9-million, plus interest and legal costs,' reads the court filing. The affidavit claims that as of January 2024, over R4.3 million remains unpaid. Despite not disputing the debt, Motaung allegedly made no significant effort to settle it. 'In fairness to the respondent, he has not sought to dispute the indebtedness… However, he has clearly not been able to pay the full sum… even after having been given various reasonable and generous indulgences over many years,' Couremetis added. What raised eyebrows, however, is the picture painted of Motaung's lavish lifestyle. 'The respondent has over all of these years lived a very opulent lifestyle, driving a Bentley… living in a large immovable property in… Houghton… wearing very expensive clothing and… watches… portraying the image of a very successful businessman… by virtue of the prominent position which he occupies at Kaizer Chiefs Football Club.' History of legal troubles This latest legal development adds to a string of past controversies. In 2016, a fraud and corruption case linked to the construction of Mbombela Stadium. Where Motaung was implicated, was dropped due to insufficient evidence. The same year, Sowetan Live reported that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) issued Motaung with a tax bill totalling R44.7 million. Then, in 2021, Sunday World revealed that SARS instructed liquidators to recover R90 million from a company. In which Bobby Motaung served as a director. While Motaung has remained tight-lipped in the face of these latest accusations. The unfolding legal battle could have lasting implications. Not only for his personal finances but also for his reputation at one of South Africa's biggest football clubs. Will Kaizer Chiefs' Bobby Motaung reputation still be intact? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
26-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
'R500K unaccounted for monthly': McKenzie terminates Silapha Wellness Programme over spending concerns
Minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie has terminated the Silapha Wellness Intervention Programme after concerns emerged over financial accountability and the programme's overall impact. The decision follows a departmental investigation into allegations that more than R400,000 per month could not be properly accounted for in the programme's spending. The programme was launched in 2022 by the department as a three-year initiative to support the wellbeing of South African artists and athletes. The project was aimed at providing critical services, including mental health support, financial counselling, grief support and performance anxiety management. According to the department, the service provider, Workforce Healthcare, was awarded a tender valued at R18m over three years with the department paying R507,000 per month for its services. However, recent reports and investigations have revealed troubling discrepancies. 'With serious questions raised about where and how the bulk of the money was being spent, as well as concerns about the actual impact of the programme, the minister decided the money could be better spent elsewhere,' the department said in a statement on Monday. McKenzie, who has been vocal on social media about tightening financial controls within the department, stated in a tweet last month: 'I am the one who is stopping all these funny payments. I have asked the finance team to explain every payment made in the last financial year, and we are putting a stop to many of these payments immediately. Legal is looking at many, like Downtown Studios, certain beneficiaries with no offices, etc.' A Sunday World investigation revealed that despite the substantial monthly payments to Workforce Healthcare, only R76,690 of that amount could be properly accounted for. In response to the programme's termination, McKenzie emphasised the need for more targeted and transparent interventions. 'We are exploring innovative ways of ensuring that we do more, and better, for our artists and athletes as a government. We are already seeing that impact and change in sports like boxing, which was badly neglected, but we also need to be more proactive with issues like the families of our legends needing support when they pass away,' he said. 'We should be intentional about our plans and know how we will respond in these cases, to offer our athletes and creatives the kind of practical support that's needed, when it's really needed.' Despite its cancellation, some maintain that the Silapha programme had merit. Workforce Healthcare's executive director for wellness Nevania Naidoo, said on the department's website that the initiative offered counselling services and was poised to expand its digital outreach. 'There is a significant need for support around mental wellbeing, substance abuse, preventable illness, financial and legal advice, gender-based violence and discrimination. The programme offers intervention and counselling but also, education to ensure prevention,' said Naidoo. Former minister Zizi Kodwa, under whose leadership the programme was initiated, had previously hailed Silapha as 'a critical tool for artist and athlete support'. 'Our artists and athletes are valuable members of our communities and are so often heroic in their ability to uplift and inspire others. At the same time, they are extremely vulnerable to life challenges due to the nature of their work. I hope that our creative and sporting community will make full use of this service and that those who face challenges receive the support and guidance they need to thrive,' Kodwa said at the time.
IOL News
19-05-2025
- IOL News
Tributes pour in for South African music icon Manqoba Ntombela following his tragic death
A prominent figure in the South African music scene, Manqoba Ntombela was cherished not only for his melodic contributions but also for his role as a respected businessman, educator, and community leader. The alleged involvement of a spaza shop mafia has surfaced in what authorities are still investigating. Tributes continue to pour in for Manqoba Ntombela, a beloved musical artist whose life was tragically cut short on the evening of May 16, when he was murdered outside his home in Ratanda, Heidelberg. Ntombela, 62, was shot shortly after leaving his shop just five houses away from his residence. His daughter, Londiwe, recounted the harrowing events to Sunday World, revealing the rapid unfolding of a family tragedy. 'My father left the shop just after 6pm and drove to his house. My younger brother, who was in the house, heard the car stopping outside, and when he got out to open the gate, gunshots rang out, and he ran back into the house. "After a few minutes, he went outside and found our dad shot in the car,' she stated. 'We were called as we were at the shop, and when we reached the scene, he was still alive, and we put him in one of the cars as we rushed him to the hospital. We met the medical team along the way. It declared him dead after a failed resuscitation.' A prominent figure in the South African music scene, Ntombela was cherished for his melodic contributions and his role as a respected businessman, educator, and community leader. His hit song "Lomshini Uyakhuluma! (iStokvel)" became an anthem in the early 1990s, later gaining renewed popularity through a remake by DJs Vetkuk and Mahoota. The shockwaves of his sudden passing have reverberated through the industry, with many taking to social media to express their grief. I-Afrika Theatre Education shared, 'It is with deep sorrow that I-Afrika Theatre mourns the untimely passing of our beloved music director, Manqoba Ntombela. Manqoba was more than just a musician - he was a creative force … his passing is a huge loss - not just to us, but to the entire creative industry in South Africa. We have lost a leader, a friend, and a true artist.'
