Sunday Times Editor Makhudu Sefara Steps Down As SANEF Chair Following SIU Lottery Grant Probe

Sunday Times editor Makhudu Sefara steps down as SANEF chair and enters special leave amid SIU allegations involving NLC grants. Read the full investigation details.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 3:38 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EWN

Urgent Leadership Transition Within Media Oversight Body

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is navigating a leadership crisis following the decision of its chair, Makhudu Sefara, to step aside from his duties. The move was triggered by an urgent meeting of the organization’s management committee on Tuesday to review a report from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). Sefara, who also serves as the editor of the Sunday Times, agreed to relinquish his position while he addresses allegations of impropriety detailed in the investigative findings. This departure from the helm of South Africa’s most prominent media advocacy group underscores the gravity of the accusations involving public funds.

Allegations Of Misappropriated Lottery Grants

The SIU investigation centers on a R1.5 million grant issued by the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) in 2018, which was officially designated for a community media training project. According to the SIU, the funds did not reach their intended destination in their entirety. Investigators allege that R500,000 was diverted to a company linked to Sefara, while an additional R900,000 was purportedly misappropriated by Black Danagaree, a firm owned by Daniel Malatji. These findings suggest a significant breach of the financial protocols governing NLC grants, prompting both legal and institutional scrutiny of the parties involved.

Arena Holdings Initiates Special Leave Protocol

Concurrent with the developments at SANEF, Sefara’s primary employer, Arena Holdings, has taken administrative action to safeguard its corporate integrity. The media house, which owns the Sunday Times, placed Sefara on special leave shortly after the SIU report became public. This procedural step allows the company to conduct its own internal investigation into the matter without the presence of the implicated editor. The dual suspension of his duties at both the newspaper and the editors' forum highlights a coordinated effort by South African media institutions to maintain ethical standards during active investigations.