The South African Police Service’s Gauteng Counter Intelligence Operation has raised serious concern over the publication of leaked affidavits linked to ongoing drug-related criminal investigations in the country, after the Sunday Times ran the information on its front page on Sunday.
The leaked material included information and pictures of certain DJs connected to the investigations.
The SAPS said while it recognises and respects the role played by the media in promoting accountability and uncovering the truth, it is calling on all media houses, particularly the Sunday Times, as well as journalists and social media content creators, to exercise responsibility and restraint when handling sensitive information of this nature.
The police said the publication of leaked affidavits containing details of witnesses, informants and evidence poses a direct and dangerous risk to the safety and lives of people who have come forward to assist with police investigations. The SAPS warned that it is not only the witnesses whose lives are at risk, but their families too.
“These individuals who are witnesses in sensitive and high profile cases, often do so under conditions of trust to the police,” the SAPS said, adding that the premature release of such information also has the potential to compromise ongoing investigations and alert criminals to what police are doing.
The police directed a specific appeal to the Sunday Times, urging the publication to act in the interest of the lives and families of witnesses and to avoid publishing leaked affidavits and personal information contained in them.
The SAPS also turned its attention to the legal fraternity, calling on lawyers, attorneys and advocates working on these high-profile cases not to leak information to the media, and to use case information solely to prepare for trial.
Social media users were also urged to refrain from making unnecessary speculations and from naming witnesses in cases, given the risks involved.
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